Dear Friends of North Chatham Landscape and Del Mar,

My name is Maria Pollio and I am organizing a fundraiser to help our staff members whose families have been affected by Hurricane Melissa. Many of you have already reached out to offer assistance. My goal is to streamline the process to get aid directly to the people you want to help and those that need it most. As you may know, several of our employees from Jamaica work days for NCL and evenings in the Del Mar kitchen. We have been blessed to be working side by side with such wonderful people for several years. They have become like family to us and now it’s time to help their families who have suffered great loss back home.

Maurice Bailey, aka Sugar Belly, had just returned to his home in the St. Elizabeth parish less than 2 weeks ago. You may know him from Spring clean-ups and pizza slinging. He is a father, a husband, and a dear friend. His home and community were completely destroyed.

Randy Douglas got his Cape Cod start at Del Mar and now works full-time for NCL. He and my dear friend Vanessa just got married in September. I had the pleasure of meeting many of his family members visiting from Jamaica to celebrate their wedding. His community of Montego Hills in St. James has suffered severe damage. His aunt, who raised him into the incredible human he is, is in need of assistance and Randy would like to help her in any way possible.

Kameeka Vanhorne’s home in St. James has also been destroyed. Money will be used to relocate her children to a safe place. Tashia Morgan and her sister Dollette have worked at Del Mar for several years. Tash has a son, Junior, back on the north coast of Jamaica, who just turned 10. She wrote me this message: “The donations will go toward repairing my home that was damaged by the hurricane. I’ll be using the funds to fix the roof, replace damaged furniture, and help restore a safe living space for me and my family. I’m truly grateful for everyone’s kindness and support during this difficult time.”

Clive Smith, Anthony Hamilton, Rodane Campbell, Ramone Smith, and Dalton Norris all have severe roof damage and would like to send money back to their mothers and families to help with repairs. Fabian Stewart’s family home in Hanover was also in the path. He said, “I'm deeply saddened. Hurricane Melissa damaged my family house, we have lost the roof and furniture is damaged, but grateful no family member's lives were lost. It's very heartbreaking to start over again, which will be very difficult for us. Your contribution will help us so much no matter how small it is. I'm grateful and thankful for it. Thank you for taking the time out to consider me in my time of need.”

Everyone I asked had the same response. Not only do they want to help their families, they want to extend a helping hand to those who are suffering in their communities. Randy said it best: “Many families have suffered devastating losses - roofs torn away, trees uprooted and blocking roads, homes and streets flooded, and families forced to relocate. With donations given, it will support the people of Montego Hills as they work to restore their homes, livelihoods, and hope after this disaster. This community, my family, helped shape the person I am today, and now they need our help.”

Funds raised will go directly toward providing essential relief, including:

- Food, clean water, and clothing

- Medical supplies

- Building materials to repair and rebuild damaged homes

Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference. Your generosity will directly impact families in need and help them rebuild their lives with dignity. Together, we can bring light and strength back to the parishes and help Jamaica rise again, stronger than before.

Thank you for standing with Jamaica.

As organizer of this fundraiser, I will be collecting funds and dispersing them to employees to send to their families. Thank you for your support.