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HELP JAMAICA REBUILD AFTER HURRICANE MELISSA
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$1,485 raised of $50K
15 donations
Help Rebuild the Lives of Optimist Members and Families
Devastated by Hurricane Melissa
ABOUT THIS FUNDRAISER
- Organizer: Lorna Gay Gooden, on behalf of Optimist International Caribbean District (OICD)
- Purpose: Hurricane Melissa Relief Effort – Jamaica
- Beneficiaries: Affected families, Optimist members, and communities across St. Catherine, Clarendon, Manchester, St. Ann, Trelawny, St. James & Hanover/Westmoreland
- Theme: Be the Change. United We Lead. Rebuild with Optimism.
My name is Lorna Gay Gooden, and I am the Governor for 2025-2026 for the Optimist International Caribbean District.
On October 2025, Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica with unimaginable force, leaving widespread destruction, loss of homes, displacement, and hardship across several parishes. Families have been displaced. Lives have been shaken to the core. Entire communities remain without electricity, without water, without food, and without the ability to rebuild.
Among those hardest hit are Optimist members — men, women, and young people who have spent years serving their communities, feeding the hungry, mentoring youth, and uplifting others through hope and service. Today, they are the ones who need help.
Many of our members have lost:
- Entire homes
- Roofs and structural safety
- Clothing and personal belongings
- Income
- Access to clean water and electricity
- The stability they once provided for their families
These are not strangers, they are Optimists. They are family. They are ours.
WHO WE ARE — AND WHY WE SERVE
The Optimist International Caribbean District (OICD) is a volunteer movement dedicated to “bringing out the best in youth, our communities, and ourselves.”
For decades, Optimists across the Caribbean have:
- Fed families in crisis
- Supported young people
- Helped rebuild communities
- Provided hope during disaster
Today, the need is greater than ever — and we are answering the call.
WHAT WE ARE DOING & WHY WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT
The Optimist International Caribbean District has been working tirelessly on the ground:
- Delivering food packages
- Providing clothing and basic supplies
- Conducting home visits
- Coordinating volunteers
- Supporting affected families with whatever resources we can gather
But the level of destruction far exceeds our financial capacity.
- We are overwhelmed.
- We cannot do this alone.
- Your donation, whether modest or generous, has the power to change someone’s entire life.
️HOW YOUR DONATION WILL BE USED
All funds raised will support:
- Emergency food and water
- Replacement of clothing and personal items
- Temporary shelter
- Medical and hygiene supplies
- Building materials for damaged homes
- Support for Optimist members who have lost income or livelihoods
- Support the youths and schools within the affected communities
- Community Rebuilding Support
TRANSPARENCY NOTICE
Because GoFundMe does not support direct withdrawals to Jamaican bank accounts, funds will be withdrawn by our designated U.S.-based representative and transferred in full to the official accounts of the Optimist International Caribbean District:
- NCB Special Fund Savings (USD): 354215012
This arrangement is fully compliant with GoFundMe policy, and 100% of funds will be used for Hurricane Melissa relief. All transfers will be documented, receipted, and reported to donors. We operate with full transparency and accountability.
BE THE HOPE AFTER THE STORM
Optimists devote their lives to “bringing out the best” in others.
- Today, they are clinging to hope — and to us.
- You can be the difference between despair and rebuilding.
- You can help a family sleep safely tonight.
- You can help an Optimist member start over.
- You can help restore dignity, stability, and hope.
CALL TO ACTION — WE NEED YOU NOW
- This is our moment to Be the Change.
- This is our moment to stand united.
- This is our moment to rebuild with optimism.
Click “Donate Now” to make a difference — help restore hope to families who have lost everything.
And please share this campaign with your friends, family, church groups, colleagues, and WhatsApp contacts.
Every share is an act of service.
Every donation is an act of love.
Together, we can rebuild — one home, one family, one life at a time.