Kelly Penwell

The first barrels have been sourced, supplies gathered, and they will be shipped from Miami with a trusted partner tomorrow (Monday November 3). Update: When we first launched this fundraiser, we truly didn’t know what was appropriate to ask for and expected that our original goal would already be a stretch. None of us anticipated the overwhelming and immediate generosity that followed. Communication with Cassandra and Kylelamar's loved ones in Wakefield remains difficult, as cell service is limited and many people have no way to charge devices, so the full scope of need is still unfolding. What we do know is that Hurricane Melissa has deeply affected the small rural town of Wakefield, home to roughly 2,700 people, and the impact reaches far beyond one family. Because of your support, Kylelamar and Cassandra are now in a position to assist not only their immediate family but also other households struggling to rebuild. With integrity and transparency at the forefront, the goal has been adjusted to reflect the growing ability to extend relief beyond a few homes and support more of the Wakefield community. Thank you for giving hope, dignity, and strength to a town working to recover from crisis. While we do not have a direct quote from Kylelamar and Cassie at this moment, we can summarize numerous texts to say they never anticipated a response this big or this quick, and there are no words to fully capture their gratitude for being in a position to offer the first wave of help to so many in their hometown. Hello, and thank you so much for taking the time to read about this cause. My name is Kelly Penwell, and I am organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Kylelamar and Cassandra Francis, who many of us in Key West know and love. I have known them for several years as I have been a teacher, mentor, and later a friend. Hurricane Melissa recently devastated parts of Jamaica, including the small community of Wakefield in Trelawny Parish, home to about 2,700 people. This is also the hometown of Kyle and Cassie and their siblings and extended family reside there. I think so highly of them as they are hard working, humble, optimistic, and kind and I wanted to do something. When this fundraiser began, it was simply to subsidize some of the travel costs needed for Kylelamar and Cassandra to return home and support their families after the storm. None of us expected the incredible response that unfolded. Because of this community’s generosity, we have reached the equivalent of 1 million Jamaican dollars (US $6,232) in relief, a level of support truly meaningful post-crisis for a community this size. Before anything else, we want to recognize Mary Ellen’s Bar & Restaurant here in Key West. They have gone above and beyond. What began with the gift of airfare quickly grew into something bigger. The owners, staff, and customers truly rallied behind this family from the very beginning. They spread the word, offered generous support, and helped ignite the momentum that has carried this fundraiser forward. Their kindness set the tone for the outpouring of love that followed. From Kylelamar and Cassandra: We are overwhelmed with gratitude. We have always tried to show up for others with kindness, humility, and respect at work, in school, and within our community. To see people now show up for us in this moment means more than we can express. Your support is giving us the strength and resources to bring real relief home to Wakefield. Their airfare has been covered, and they will be traveling to Jamaica soon. They are already doing everything possible to maximize the impact of this fundraiser. They are actively working on sourcing supplies to fill barrels for transport as it is a known network that they trust. They are being stewards with the funds you've helped them raise and ensuring the supplies reach their family and community. Also, they now have a contact for medics who are flying medical supplies and professionals from Key West to Jamaica, and they plan to reach out to explore whether additional relief items can be included. They are also in the process of connecting with others in Florida who are sending aid directly to Wakefield. They are committed to turning every dollar, every supply, and every act of kindness into meaningful help for the families who need it most. This fundraiser is helping to: Meet the needs of their immediate family, specifically their brothers and sisters who live in Wakefield, and their extended family. Cover travel-related costs, not including the donated airfare Providing them with a pathway with care and intention to secure relief supplies now, when it has the most significant impact Partner with trusted, secure channels to ensure that supplies and relief efforts are delivered safely to Wakefield. Further, your generosity now puts Kylelamar and Cassandra in a position to help more than their immediate family. In a town of 2,700 people, where neighbors and friends feel like family, your support will touch multiple homes and hearts in Wakefield in this time of crisis. Early estimates from Kylelamar and Cassandra suggest that a full community relief effort could require as much as $25K to support rebuilding across Wakefield over time. Kylelamar and Cassandra are fully in charge of all donations, and they are committed to using every dollar with transparency and care as needs continue to unfold. From Kelly: The reason this fundraiser has grown so quickly is not by chance. It is because of who Kylelamar and Cassandra are. The community loves them for their character, kindness, work ethic, and for consistently showing up for others. This reflects the impact they have had on the lives around them. If this fundraiser exceeds the goal, additional support will be used to help other families in Wakefield, not just their own. The more we raise, the more households we can help rebuild. No donation is too small, and sharing this link also helps more than you know. Thank you for helping bring love, relief, and hope to a community rebuilding after a disaster. You have already created a blessing larger than we ever imagined. With heartfelt gratitude, Kylelamar, Cassandra, (and Kelly)