<div>We’re heartbroken by the destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica, especially in Saint Elizabeth Parish. Homes are gone, food and water are scarce, concrete walls have crumbled, and whole towns are cut off. Power and water could take months to return; schools are closed, and roads are blocked or destroyed.
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<div>Just one year ago, we lived through Hurricane Beryl, a Category 4 storm we thought was the worst we’d ever see. Somehow, Melissa was far worse. We’re deeply thankful to be safe and out of harm's way in New York, but that doesn’t mean powerless. This fundraiser is our way to get help directly to families who need it now.
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<div><strong>Who We Are</strong>
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<div>I’m Carly, and this is my husband, Adrian Brown. Adrian grew up in Saint Elizabeth; Treasure Beach is our home, where we raised our daughter. Jamaica has taught us gratitude, resilience, and what real community looks like. Now it’s our turn to give back.
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<div><strong>What This Fund Will Do</strong>
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<div>We’re starting small and moving fast, sending support as soon as it comes in. The more we raise, the more families we can help. Our goal is to reach families who’ve lost everything, from their homes to their livelihoods, and give them a meaningful reset.
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<div><strong>What is meaningful</strong>? This isn’t an easy answer. What we mean is more than a box of supplies: we mean cash in hands so people can rebuild their lives. Maybe that means a concrete roof instead of zinc. Maybe a mattress and fresh sheets or a water tank to catch rainwater or paint to bring color back to their home. Maybe chickens they lost or fishing gear or farm equipment. Jamaicans are masters at making things happen.
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<div><strong>Why It Matters</strong>
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<div>Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 185 mph, the island is facing a humanitarian crisis unlike anything it's seen. The video above shows our friend Blanco in the middle of those winds, fighting to protect his family as his roof tears away.
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<div>Close to 80% of the island lost power, and the UN has called the destruction “tremendous and unprecedented.” There are incredible organizations helping island-wide, but our goal is to reach the people we personally know with families and livelihoods who will lift others up once they’re back on their feet.
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<div><strong>How We’ll Help</strong>
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<div>We’ll keep evaluating the best way to deliver support as conditions change. Our priority is cash assistance, because people know what their families need most and can rebuild quickly.
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<div>If supply chains tighten or prices spike, we’ll pivot, shipping barrels, partnering with hardware stores, or working directly with local suppliers.
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<div><strong>What your donations may support</strong>:
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<li>Roof repairs, mattresses, curtains, paint, restoring both homes and hope.
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<li>Small business recovery for fishermen, farmers, and local entrepreneurs who lost equipment or stock.
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<li>Emergency cash to cover food, water, and essentials while infrastructure recovers.
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<div>Contrary to belief, things are not cheaper in Jamaica, basic goods are quite expensive and will be even more right now. Scarcity on the island will cause it to skyrocket.
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<div><strong>Who We’re Helping First</strong>
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<div>While Treasure Beach holds our heart, our initial focus is on nearby small communities that rarely make headlines, places like Beacon, Newell, Watchwell, Bethany, Barbary Hall. These are hardworking families and business people on the edge of tourism’s spotlight and they’ve been hit hard; they never got a chance to build back from Beryl.
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<div>Meet Leon “Blanco” Ledgister, a father of two, a fisherman for most of his life, who opened a beach bar (a personal dream) and probably has 5 other side jobs. Blanco lost his roof, his livestock, a dry place for his family to rest their head at night. He can make a mean lobster curry and only uses a fresh coconut for his rice and peas. Pepperman his eldest son is pictured catching fish after the storm, resourceful just like his father.
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</div><img class="text-editor_textEditorImage__43_GE" alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/96256719_1762224819311906_r." width="100%" />
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</div><img class="text-editor_textEditorImage__43_GE" alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/96256719_1762225713696263_r." width="100%" />
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<div><strong>The Goal</strong>
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<div>We’ve set a goal of US $15,000, enough to help at least 15 families in a tangible, lasting way (and more if we surpass it). Every bit counts. Whether it’s $10 or $5,000, you’re helping someone rebuild not just their roof, but their sense of home.
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<div><strong>Stay in Touch</strong>
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<div>We’re moving quickly and will keep updating this page as we identify who’s most in need and share their stories. Once we get enough to donate to the first family, the money will immediately go out, and so on for the following. Follow along here, we’ll post updates, photos, and progress as families start to rebuild.
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<div>Thank you.
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<div>One Love.
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<div>Let’s make this home again.
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Kathryn Chalmers

Kayla Ganz

ben Dunmore

SK J

charlotte rudge

Ariana Youn

Kimberly Rosenberger

Erin McLaughlin

Allison Berry

Mersiha, Erzen, and Mila Gashi

Ronen Glimer

Marc Mosteirin

Anonymous

Renee Livanos

Maira Duarte Quiroga

Celia Peachey

Joy, Phil, Liam, Julie

katherine rines

Kate Messinger

Help Saint Elizabeth Jamaica Families Rebuild After Melissa

Just $639$641$640$639$638$637 to go! Make an impact.

Help Saint Elizabeth Jamaica Families Rebuild After Melissa

Just $639 to go!
Make an impact.