My name is Charmaine Reid. I am a philanthropist and entrepreneur who has dedicated her life to giving back to communities in need. I am proudly Jamaican—born into a long line of Jamaican heritage—and everything I am today was shaped by where I grew up: the humble countryside, surrounded by the love of my 5 sisters and 2 brothers, even when circumstances were difficult.

Growing up in rural Jamaica was not easy. My family struggled day to day just to get by. There were many mornings where we had no money for lunch, no money for bus fare, and sometimes no choice but to skip school entirely because the cost of traveling back and forth was more than we could manage. Life in the countryside teaches you humility, strength, and the value of community—because when you have very little, you depend on each other to survive.

This is why the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa struck me so deeply. I know firsthand how fragile life can be for low-income families in rural Jamaica. Most people living in the countryside survive in board houses with zinc rooftops—homes that cannot withstand powerful winds or heavy rain. When hurricanes hit, it is not just water and wind. It is roofs being ripped away. It is entire rooms collapsing. It is families running through mud with children in their arms, praying the storm spares their lives. It is people losing everything in a matter of minutes.

Many families I grew up around—friends, neighbors, elders I’ve known since childhood—are now left with nothing but ruins. Their homes are destroyed, their belongings washed away, and their food, clothes, and personal items lost under debris. I created this GoFundMe because my heart will not allow me to sit back and do nothing. These are my people, the communities that raised me, shaped me, and taught me resilience.

Where Your Donations Will Go (Full Transparency)

Every dollar donated will be used to directly support the affected households with real, tangible essentials. I want to be as specific and transparent as possible.

1. House Repair & Rebuilding Materials

To rebuild board houses damaged or destroyed in the storm:

Lumber (boarding, plywood, 2x4s, 2x6s, posts)

Zinc sheets for roofing

Roofing nails, hurricane straps, screws, and brackets

Cement, sand, gravel, and steel for reinforcing foundations

Tarpaulins for temporary covering

Doors, locks, door hinges

Window frames, louvers, window mesh

Paint, varnish, brushes, sealants

These materials will help families rebuild roofs, repair walls, and restore homes that are unsafe or unlivable.

2. Essential Food Supplies

For families who have lost their pantries and belongings:

Rice

Flour

Cooking oil

Tinned mackerel, sardines, corned beef

Dry goods (beans, oats, sugar)

Crackers, cereals, baby snacks

Seasonings and salt

Bottled water and purification tablets

These items will ensure that households can eat while recovering from the storm.

3. Personal Care & Hygiene Items

To help restore dignity and sanitation for families who escaped with nothing:

Bath soap

Toothpaste & toothbrushes

Shampoo & conditioner

Sanitary napkins

Baby diapers & wipes

Toilet paper

Deodorant

Hand sanitizer

Laundry detergent

These supplies help prevent illness and maintain cleanliness during a time of crisis.

4. Clothing & Comfort Items

Many people fled during the storm with only the clothes on their back:

Clothing for children and adults

Underwear and socks

Shoes and slippers

Blankets, sheets, pillows

Towels

Mosquito nets

Comfort matters in times of trauma, and these items bring warmth and relief.

5. Baby & Elderly Support

For the most vulnerable members of the community:

Baby formula

Feeding bottles

Baby cereal

Adult diapers

Blood pressure monitors

Basic medications (pain relievers, ointments, antiseptic)

This ensures that infants and elders are not forgotten in the rebuilding process.

6. Community Support & Safety

Items needed to clean up and repair public spaces:

Shovels, rakes, gloves

Chainsaws (to clear fallen trees)

Buckets

Brooms & mops

Flashlights & batteries

Solar lamps (for areas without electricity)

These tools will help restore neighborhoods, roads, churches, and community centers.

Why Your Help Matters

Hurricanes destroy more than homes—they destroy stability, safety, and the memories families have built for generations. For low-income rural Jamaicans, rebuilding is nearly impossible without help. Many of them were already struggling before the storm. Now they are starting over with nothing but faith.

Your donation—no matter the size—can help put a roof back over a family’s head, feed a hungry child, or help an elderly resident sleep safely again.

From the depths of my heart, thank you for standing with us and supporting the people of Jamaica during this painful time. Together, we can help them rise again, stronger than ever.