Posted by William Inniss on Sep 09, 2019
Rotary Family in Eastern Leewards Takes Action
The Rotary Clubs of St Maarten/St. Martin, Anguilla and St. Barth's, along with our Interact Clubs and Friends of Rotary quickly came together, even while the Bahamas was still enduring the wrath of Hurricane Dorian, to establish a campaign to assist the Bahamas.  It was determined the best approach to assist, after consultation with Rotarians in the Bahamas, was raise funds to assist with the immediate needs of those affected by Dorian.  To date, a total of $14,848.15 has been pledged and/or collected.  A special thank you goes to Rick Cassidy, a friend of Rotary, and the owner of Fat Tony's Steakhouse in Cupecoy Sint Maarten, who quickly organized an event with students from the American University of the Caribbean which raised $1,080.

The Rotary Club of Sint Maarten is serving as the facilitator and collected donations are being transferred to the Rotary Clubs of Bahamas Disaster Relief Fund on a weekly basis.  The first transfer was sent on Monday, September 9, 2019 and the second transfer sent early this week.
(Sint Maarten Rotarians join Donor Rick Cassidy – back row in turquoise shirt, with check presented to RC President, Sherrylle Horsford)
 
10 United States Virgin Islands Clubs Raise Funds
 
Four Clubs Set Goal to Raise $50,000 in St. Croix 
The four Rotary clubs have already raised $10,000 and Rotarians from all clubs have been out in the busy shopping areas Christiansted and Frederiksted collecting monetary donations for the Bahamas.
AG Sweeney Toussaint explains ‘The Bahamas are part of our Rotary District and we have been there many times for conferences and meetings and they have been over here. Over the years, we have developed deep, lasting friendships with Bahamian Rotarians and their families. Our hearts are broken for all the Bahamian people’. The St. Croix clubs are working closely with the clubs in Nassau where the relief efforts are based and are planning long term recovery efforts with an overall goal of raising $50,000.
 
$32,000 Pledged by Six Clubs in St. John and St. Thomas
Although many are still in the recovery stage from the double whammy of hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017,  St. Thomas and St. John Rotarians have opened their hearts and wallets in support of the people of the Bahamas that have endured the catastrophic destruction of lives and property from hurricane Dorian,.
As of September 12, the Members of the six Rotary Clubs of USVI North have raised or pledged upwards of $32,000 with plans to raise significantly more through a variety of fundraising efforts; including a Telethon/Radiothon, Walk-a-Thon, Raffles, Game night “Funraisers” and other events that engage the general population of St. Thomas/St. John.
 
(L-R: St. Thomas, St. Thomas II, St. Thomas East, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas Sunrise, St. John, AG Al LaBorde)  
 
Rotary District 6950 Packs 100,000 Meals!
The Rotary Club of Clearwater East in Florida in cooperation with community and corporate volunteers as well as Rotarians from clubs throughout Rotary District 6950 packaged 100,000 meals for shipment to the Bahamas.
 
One Rotarian reports that, not only did they pack the meals, they had a wonderful time doing it! There were so many different church groups, civic organizations, companies, Interactors, Rotaractors, RYE kids and many people who just showed up to help and do something for those in need. Rotary Connected the World with this project.
Ways to Contribute
ALL DONORS:
For Wire Transfer directly to the islands go to Bahamas Rotary Disaster Committee  
Important Note: please be sure to advise in advance, the following details of funds being remitted to the Bahamas:
 
For crypto currency donations sent weekly directly to the Bahamas, payment may be made online at Delchain Limited
 
UK DONORS:
To qualify for Gift Aid, donate to Rotary’s Disaster Recovery Trust for Caribbean Hurricane Dorian
 
US DONORS:
For a 501c3 US Tax Exempt donation use any of the following
PayPal D7020 through Disaster Network Assistance
PayPal D6990 through District 6990 in Florida
GoFundMe for Rotary 7020 Dorian Relief
Rotary District 7680 DAF No. 574  via Rotary International
 
How to Donate Online
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