Hello. I'm Tim Morton and Carol Balds is my wonderful Jamaican mother-in-law, otherwise known as "Mommy." Mommy is in her 70s and finds it very hard to walk. Mommy lives in Montego Bay, where she started and ran a little middle school, which she practically ran as a charity, without profit. She has just retired and has no money to speak of.

Mommy is a pillar of her community and one of the kindest and wisest people I've ever known. She is also the mother of my wife, Treena, and I owe my life to both of them. Carol's son, Richard, is a pastor who calls me "big brother," although this is absurdly untrue: Richard is bigger than me in soul and in body.

Carol lives in Montego Bay, which was hit so terribly by Hurricane Melissa. Video footage of the streets near her house, just a few minutes' walk from the seashore, says it all.

Treena and I have about thirty relatives and friends in Montego Bay, and we won't know how they're doing, or if they're doing at all, until much later. But Mommy has checked in. Her house was totally flooded and her tin roof ripped away.

I feel powerless to help. I would like to help Carol rebuild her life. I had this idea that Mommy, as a rock for her community, would be a good person to support. Carol could also help distribute funds to others in need in Montego Bay.

Including my niece, Zarie, her dad, Richard, her mom, Carla, and so many other people...

Thank you.