November 07, 2025

Dear Friends,

My name is Crystal Staton. I am a native of Charlotte NC. I have a love to travel since I learned how to drive. I have been many places since then but somehow I have found to travel on many occasions to the island of Jamaica. There I have had many experiences of meeting people, eating delicious homecooked meals and overall being a part of the culture. The families I have grown to known over three decades have shown me love.

I am starting a fundraiser with GoFundMe to raise money for my trip from Charlotte NC to Montego Bay Jamaica. I am in a time of need of support to show up for my friends in a direct way. They have been marooned in the Jamaican hills of Montego Bay after the passing of Hurricane Melissa leaving devastating destruction from her path.

I finally heard from two of my longtime friends, of 33 years on the island, on Wednesday 11/05 and Thursday 11/06. She made it down the city to call me and let me know that everyone was okay but the roads are still being worked on for clearing a path to have a connection with the the city of Montego Bay. She said that she had seen the helicopter but they haven't had a food drop. I let her know that I was sending out messages on a daily basis. Praying that her community of the 27 marooned have already receive food since we have spoken.

I have also being in contact with Pastor Cowan of Riverside Open Bible Community Church in which I have visited often being apart of their Sunday mornings praise and worship services. I also had an amazing opportunity to attend a Church Conference 2023 in Rose Hall Jamaica with the congregation by way of charter bus. An amazing all day conference filled with hours of sermons and special worship performances from a variety of children choirs.

On the GoFundMe page I am applying through the Faith Fundraiser / Community Outreach section.

My Goal is to raise $3500-$4000. This goal is to pay for the Main Expenses of Roundtrip Airfare, Transportation, Housing and Food. I also calculated expenses for incidentals odds and ends, such as on the go snacks and beverages, tips for baggage handlers and/or parking fees.

I have included in my GoFundMe goal an amount of $1000 that goes directly towards at least 20 families in the community. Averaged out $50 per family to buy household items from the local Jamaican Walmart known as Megamart in Montego Bay which I have often shopped there. There I hope to buy tangible essential items that the families may be in need of that were not able to be airdropped from the Helicopter Relief Units.

In closing my Purpose for this GoFundMe account is to ask for money for the task of purchase of airfare including housing, meals and incidentals. No.1 goal is to help out my community of friends and their families. I am looking forward to documenting successful stories through videos and pictures.

Thank you Kindly in your consideration to give to my GoFundMe Account helping me to achieve this very important Faith Fundraiser / Community Outreach goal.