Support for My Uncle Marvin and Our Family in Jamaica

I’m sure many of you have seen the devastating images and stories coming out of Jamaica in the wake of Hurricane Melissa. My uncle, Marvin Nicholson, and his family live in Westmoreland, Jamaica, where the hurricane hit earlier this week. We have finally been able to make contact with them, and while we are beyond grateful to know they are safe, they have suffered tremendous damage. Their yard has been devastated, and the entire roof of their home has been torn off, leaving them exposed and with little protection from the elements.

Their home is just ten minutes from Black River, a community that has been completely flattened. The surrounding area remains in crisis, with many families losing everything.

In Jamaica, many families, including my uncle’s, live off the land, relying on crops and small neighborhood stores to sustain themselves. Sadly, the hurricane has wiped out crops across the region, leaving behind the threat of a major food shortage. With food needing to be imported, prices will rise sharply — and for many Jamaicans who already live day-to-day, that means going hungry.

For my uncle’s family, the main source of making sure they eat is a tiny street store at the front of their yard. This small shop provides food not only for them but also for others in their community who cannot afford to travel to larger stores. With the yard and surrounding area heavily damaged, even this small source of stability is now at risk.

Although I am asking for help on behalf of my family, I know that any support they receive will extend far beyond their yard — they will share what they have with neighbors, friends, and anyone in need. That’s who they are, and that’s what community means in Jamaica.

If you are able, please consider helping us support them as they begin the long road to rebuilding — both their home and the lives of those around them. Every act of kindness, no matter how small, will make a difference.