Pantry Challenge 4 Hurricane Relief
Tax deductible
MY MISSION: My name is Natalie, currently in St. Louis, but am a native of Cleveland. I run a fitness/wellness account, Fit 'n Free Life and feel called to use my platform to create awareness around a pressing issue.
As a health & wellness advocate, I have built my platform on the message of nourishing the self so as to give more to others. A big portion of my budget goes towards healthy food and spreading awareness of that food to others, so that they can find energy to accomplish the things their hearts are set on.
This month I am cutting my grocery budget and donating that money towards All Hands Volunteers's Hurricane Irma & Maria relief. The organization's efforts span across US Virgin Islands, Florida, Puerto Rico and Caribbean Islands, and involve action by taking assessments throughout the island, and working to identify the greatest needs and most vulnerable populations. And I am inviting you to do the same. Eating what is in your pantry, purchasing only fruits veggies or simple bulk items if needed, and sacrificing dinners out to benefit a cause greater than us.
You can join the challenge or simply submit a donation without partaking. The idea is, if you don't have a large disposable income, to find a way to cut back in areas where we can be a little less comfortable, to serve those with a much bigger need.
Please visit my blog to find out more about the challenge (details posted 10/10/17) or simply donate here!
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ALL HANDS VOLUNTEERS MISSION:
September 2017 – Present / US Virgin Islands
On September 6, Hurricane Irma slammed into the US Virgin Islands as a category 5 hurricane.The islands suffered severe wind and flood damage, reducing many areas to rubble. In light of the almost absolute devastation experienced in USVI, All Hands Volunteers sent an Immediate Response Team to St. Thomas. CEO Erik Dyson said, “Unfortunately, we aren’t big enough to be everywhere at once. But our model is all about meeting the greatest need as best we can. Our help is needed in the islands, so that’s where we’ll be.”Less than a month later, the team was evacuated due to Hurricane Maria, which struck USVI on September 20 as a category 4 storm.
After receiving the go-ahead, our team is back on the ground and conditions have significantly deteriorated since before Maria hit, with water supplies running low, long lines at the grocery stores with already bare shelves, security significantly increased and electricity out in most places. Most schools are damaged and families with means are trying to leave for the states so their kids can continue to go to school. People are stressed, exhausted and traumatized, but at the same time, full of appreciation and gratitude when they see us. We are working with Community Action Partners (CAN) to develop a plan to best meet the needs of the families and communities.
This week, we began cleanup for a local middle school for 700 low-income kids that had been working toward accreditation for three years and was finally expected to be accredited before the hurricanes. We spent our first two days mucking and gutting and removing debris. Similarly, we have been gutting the basement of a local church that originally offered to host us, then sustained significant flooding with Hurricane Maria. We continue to make assessments throughout the island, working to identify the greatest needs and most vulnerable populations. Given the massive health concerns created by the dwindling non-potable water supply, we will also be working to clear paths to several natural springs so people without their own water source can flush and shower.
Last week, Norwegian Cruise Line has set a goal to raise $2.5 million for All Hands Volunteers. This record-breaking donation, along with many others, has enabled us to make a 2-year commitment to building schools in the US Virgin Islands, Florida, Puerto Rico and Caribbean Islands, alongside our partner, the Happy Hearts Fund. As always, we are about staying for the long-term.
Please donate to our US Hurricane Relief Fund, so that we can stay where we’re needed most until the job is done!
As a health & wellness advocate, I have built my platform on the message of nourishing the self so as to give more to others. A big portion of my budget goes towards healthy food and spreading awareness of that food to others, so that they can find energy to accomplish the things their hearts are set on.
This month I am cutting my grocery budget and donating that money towards All Hands Volunteers's Hurricane Irma & Maria relief. The organization's efforts span across US Virgin Islands, Florida, Puerto Rico and Caribbean Islands, and involve action by taking assessments throughout the island, and working to identify the greatest needs and most vulnerable populations. And I am inviting you to do the same. Eating what is in your pantry, purchasing only fruits veggies or simple bulk items if needed, and sacrificing dinners out to benefit a cause greater than us.
You can join the challenge or simply submit a donation without partaking. The idea is, if you don't have a large disposable income, to find a way to cut back in areas where we can be a little less comfortable, to serve those with a much bigger need.
Please visit my blog to find out more about the challenge (details posted 10/10/17) or simply donate here!
---------------------------------------------------------
ALL HANDS VOLUNTEERS MISSION:
September 2017 – Present / US Virgin Islands
On September 6, Hurricane Irma slammed into the US Virgin Islands as a category 5 hurricane.The islands suffered severe wind and flood damage, reducing many areas to rubble. In light of the almost absolute devastation experienced in USVI, All Hands Volunteers sent an Immediate Response Team to St. Thomas. CEO Erik Dyson said, “Unfortunately, we aren’t big enough to be everywhere at once. But our model is all about meeting the greatest need as best we can. Our help is needed in the islands, so that’s where we’ll be.”Less than a month later, the team was evacuated due to Hurricane Maria, which struck USVI on September 20 as a category 4 storm.
After receiving the go-ahead, our team is back on the ground and conditions have significantly deteriorated since before Maria hit, with water supplies running low, long lines at the grocery stores with already bare shelves, security significantly increased and electricity out in most places. Most schools are damaged and families with means are trying to leave for the states so their kids can continue to go to school. People are stressed, exhausted and traumatized, but at the same time, full of appreciation and gratitude when they see us. We are working with Community Action Partners (CAN) to develop a plan to best meet the needs of the families and communities.
This week, we began cleanup for a local middle school for 700 low-income kids that had been working toward accreditation for three years and was finally expected to be accredited before the hurricanes. We spent our first two days mucking and gutting and removing debris. Similarly, we have been gutting the basement of a local church that originally offered to host us, then sustained significant flooding with Hurricane Maria. We continue to make assessments throughout the island, working to identify the greatest needs and most vulnerable populations. Given the massive health concerns created by the dwindling non-potable water supply, we will also be working to clear paths to several natural springs so people without their own water source can flush and shower.
Last week, Norwegian Cruise Line has set a goal to raise $2.5 million for All Hands Volunteers. This record-breaking donation, along with many others, has enabled us to make a 2-year commitment to building schools in the US Virgin Islands, Florida, Puerto Rico and Caribbean Islands, alongside our partner, the Happy Hearts Fund. As always, we are about staying for the long-term.
Please donate to our US Hurricane Relief Fund, so that we can stay where we’re needed most until the job is done!
Organizer
Natalie Marie
Organizer
Brentwood, MO
All Hands Volunteers
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.
