Hi everyone, this is Derrick McKenzie.

Many of you know me as a Realtor here in the Tampa Bay area. Today, I'm reaching out not as a Realtor or a coach, but as a son, brother, and uncle with a very personal and urgent request.

As you may know, a recent, devastating hurricane has hit Jamaica, causing widespread damage, especially in the parish of St. Ann, where most of my family lives. My brothers, sisters, and countless nieces, nephews, and cousins are safe, but they are now facing the immense challenge of rebuilding their lives and homes.

The need for basic necessities is immediate. Their power is spotty, homes are damaged, and supplies are scarce.

My goal is to create a direct pipeline of support to help them through this crisis. We are raising funds to purchase and ship essential, tangible items directly to my niece, Kimberley, who is on the ground in St. Ann's Bay, to distribute to our family and those in the immediate community.

What Your Donation Will Fund

Your support will not go to an abstract fund; it will go toward purchasing these specific, desperately needed items:

Non-Perishable Food: Tinned meats (fish, spam, sausage), rice, ramen, baked beans, chickpeas, pancake mix, and syrup.

Household Basics: Sheets, blankets, towels, washcloths, and blow-up beds for those displaced from their homes.

Personal Toiletries: Sanitary napkins, under garments, toothpaste, toothbrushes, body wash, and lotion.

Power & Tech (Critical Need): Portable power banks, chargeable lamps, extension cords, and portable fans to get through the power outages.

Children Items: Baby formula, diapers, baby bottles, toys, clothing.

Our Goals & How You Can Help

We are setting an initial goal of $5,000. This will allow us to purchase a significant amount of these supplies and cover the cost of shipping them in large barrels directly to Jamaica.

We also have a stretch goal of $20,000. If we are blessed to reach this level of generosity, it will allow several members of my family here to fly down to Jamaica to personally oversee the distribution of all items and actively assist in the relief and rebuilding efforts on the ground.

Anything will help. Your generosity is infectious, and your donations are so deeply appreciated. Whatever you can do will make a massive and immediate difference in the lives of those who have lost so much.

Thank you for your support.

MANDATORY DISCLAIMER

Please note: This is a personal fundraiser to send aid directly to my family and their community. As this is a personal gift and not a registered 501(c)(3) charity, your generous donation is not tax-deductible.