HURRICANE DORIAN - FUNDS FOR SUPPLIES NEEDED

Hurricane Dorian Recovery:  FUNDS FOR SUPPLIES STILL NEEDED

** SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM TO SEE PHOTOS OF SUPPLY DISTRIBUTION PROCESS **

You probably heard about the devastating Category 5 Hurricane Dorian that sat over the northwestern islands of the Bahamas for 3 days starting on September 1st, 2019, in particular over The Abacos & Grand Bahama Island (GBI).  This natural disaster left significant destruction in its path including damage to homes and buildings from tornado force winds as well as water damage from 20 foot storm surges and unfortunately loss of life! 

My name is Susan Krupica and I was born and raised in West End, Grand Bahama Island.  I was fortunate enough to survive the terrifying hurricane while living in West End! I just couldn't sit by and watch the devastation without trying to help my fellow Bahamians in this huge recovery effort!

I recently returned to live on Grand Bahama Island 5 years ago to enjoy my semi-retirement.  My family lived on GBI for many years & the island continues to be near & dear to our hearts even though my relatives now live in Toronto, Canada.  We are reaching out to our friends, work colleagues and contacts as well as family members to assist us in this time of need in the Bahamas.

All financial donations will be used specifically towards the purchasing of supplies.  The items will be transported to GBI via private boats and distributed to as many people as possible through the local church distribution centers. 

I plan to personally oversee the process to ensure that all of the funds are only spent on urgently needed supplies! The specific types of supplies change on a weekly basis as victims progress through the recovery process. 

Drinking water is still urgently needed as there is no access to fresh drinking water on the islands & many homes still do not even have water for sanitation purposes.  Non-perishable food items continue to be in demand as access to money in combination with the significant loss of jobs has resulted in great financial difficulties as most of the banks & bank machines are still closed.  Various cleaning supplies are needed to clean out homes that were flooded with salt water & covered in mud as well as to address the mould issues. Clothing for all family members including children is also greatly needed to replace lost items and to assist them in returning to school. 

The supplies are purchased on-line through companies such as Costco & then will be stored at friends' homes in Florida who have generously volunteered to load their boats with the supplies & transport them to Old Bahama Bay in West End, GBI.  The supplies are off-loaded & distributed directly to churches to share with those in need.  I will also try to work with the churches to provide the delivery of supplies to shut-ins & those that are not able to pick-up items due to lack of transportation from many vehicles being flooded.

Your financial help is greatly needed to successfully accomplish the goal of assisting to supply local Bahamians on GBI with urgently needed supplies.  Monthly updates will be posted on this site with photos of the process & progression.

All donations will be accepted in Canadian dollars and withdrawn from my Canadian bank account to purchase the supplies. 

I would like to personally thank you in advance for supporting this GoFundMe charity to help Grand Bahama Island recover from Hurricane Dorian and return to it's former beauty and the paradise it has always been.  

Your financial donation will greatly help in this recovery & a return to a "new norm" for residents on GBI.

No donation is too big or too small as it will be used 100% towards purchasing supplies without any administrative costs other than the 2.9% retained by GoFundMe from each transaction.

Thanks for your support and for contributing to making the Bahamas better again!

PHOTOS OF THE PROCESS OF DELIVERING & DISTRIBUTING SUPPLIES:

1. Supplies purchased on-line & shipped to friends' homes in Florida where they are stored until a boat is able to transport them to GBI.
2. Supplies traveling via private boats to Old Bahama Bay, West End on Grand Bahama Island
3. Unloading supplies from boats
4. Dropping off & sorting supplies at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in West End, Grand Bahama Island, a designated distribution centre for residents throughout the island
5. Distributing supplies to people in need from throughout the island at the church
6. Making bags to deliver to shut-ins & those without transportation
Then doing all again with the next shipment of supplies :)