Please consider supporting the challenging and ongoing recovery of the Northern Bahamas from the devastation of hurricane Dorian, one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record and the strongest storm to ever make landfall in the Bahamas. We have partnered with Turn Two for Youth and the Omeko Foundation to provide vital school supplies, including much-needed equipment for remote/online learning, and to support the establishment of after-school programs and team sports leagues for the children of Grand Bahama.
This fundraiser will support Phase 1 of the project (laptops and school supplies). Please see below for more information on the longer-term mission and partner organizations. In addition, all organizations involved in this project are committed to support these programs on an ongoing basis to maximize the long-term potential impact of every contribution. All contributions are tax deductible.
*UPDATE: We have secured a generous commitment of $10,000 to match the first $10,000 raised through this GoFundMe. Help us realize this full gift and donate today! Every dollar counts!
Project Specifics: This project will take place in two phases through the end of 2021 with the first focusing on school supplies and after-school support programs and the second focusing on sports equipment for the creation of regional youth sports leagues in partnership with local community organizations.
- Phase 1: We are partnering with another non-profit organization, Notebooks for Students, to source quality refurbished laptops for remote/online learning. Most area students must still attempt to learn remotely due to the combination of COVID and the slow rebuilding process, and many children are falling far behind in school from the shortage of equipment and support needed to participate in online learning. Reaching our fundraising goal would allow us to provide more than 150 desperately-needed laptops for community organizations working to establish local learning centers for area children. We aim to have this vital equipment ready and available in time to support as much of the upcoming school year as possible. As an added benefit, this project will support the creation of local jobs for operating the educational centers and maintaining the laptops (training, parts/components, and ongoing support provided by Notebooks for Students).
- Phase 2: We will be sending a full-size shipping container packed with sports equipment (including jerseys, shoes, balls, bats, gloves, etc. for baseball, basketball, and soccer) later this fall to support the establishment and expansion of youth team-sports leagues in affected areas. Certain professional and collegiate sports programs have indicated a willingness to donate new or lightly-used gear, which should provide enough equipment to make a substantial impact and allow for the prioritization of laptops and educational supplies with the funds we raise.
Hurricane Dorian: Hurricane Dorian hit The Bahamas on September 1, 2019 as a Category 5 hurricane, causing severe flooding and mass destruction on the northwest islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama. The slow-moving storm pummeled Grand Bahama Islands for 48 long hours before finally moving away from the islands. During this period, high winds and massive storm surge destroyed nearly everything on the islands with the Inter-American Development Bank estimating that Dorian caused approximately $3.4 billion in damages, which is roughly equal to one-quarter of The Bahamas' GDP. The rebuilding process has remained slow and difficult given the challenges of getting supplies to remote areas across destroyed infrastructure, and COVID has only compounded issues. Significant help is still needed.
Turn Two for Youth: Turn Two for Youth collects baseball and softball gear throughout the United States from teams, coaches, players and families, all who want to give back to the game they love. The equipment is cleaned, refurbished and then shipped to credible organizations for distribution to kids in need, domestically and internationally. Turn Two for Youth has established a network of wonderful partners such as Major League Baseball, the American Baseball Coaches Association, Miracle League, various ministries, and independent coaches. Turn Two for Youth is the official charity of the American Baseball Coaches Association and a proud supplier to Miracle League. Website: http://www.turn2foryouth.com/
The Omeko Foundation: The Omeko Foundation seeks to make an impact in the Grand Bahama community, one person, one family at a time by focusing on Youth Development, Economic Empowerment, Education, Outreach, Social Media Education, Community Development, and much more. Website: https://www.mekofoundation.org/about_us