My name is Grace Walfall, and I’m raising funds to help my godbrother Bucky and others in the community of St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, one of the hardest-hit parishes by Hurricane Melissa. I currently live in the Atlanta area, but Jamaica is my home.

St. Elizabeth isn’t just a place on a map for me. It’s home. It’s where I go when I vacation in Jamaica. It’s where my roots are and where my parents, who immigrated to America, raised me to understand the value of family and community. Every summer growing up, I spent time there with my grandparents, and Bucky was my constant companion, more like a brother than a friend.

When my grandparents grew older, Bucky remained by their side. He cared for them with love and loyalty, tending the land, keeping them company, and preserving the home that meant so much to all of us. In appreciation, my father worked with Bucky so he could own the property after their passing as a gesture of gratitude for the years of care and devotion Bucky gave to our family.

Over time, Bucky transformed that land into his livelihood. He planted coconut, mango, papaya, and guinep trees, to name a few. He grew yam and cassava and even cultivated flowers that he sold within the business community. It wasn’t just a home, it was a place of self-reliance and peace.

But after Hurricane Melissa, almost everything was lost. Ninety-five percent of his crops are gone. The roof was torn off, and the interior of his home was badly damaged. His means of earning a living has vanished overnight.

I’m creating this fundraiser to help Bucky repair his home, replant his crops, and restore hope. Every contribution, no matter the amount, makes a real difference.

I know times are challenging for many. If you can give or even share this page you’ll be helping someone who has given so much of himself to others. Your kindness will help him start again and remind him that community extends far beyond our shores.

Thank you for your compassion and support.