Florida Bands Together to Aid in Hurricane Dorian Relief Efforts

Although Florida was quite fortunate in dodging the catastrophic effects of Hurricane Dorian, one of the most powerful storms the U.S. has recorded in a while, our Bahamian neighbors faced a different fate.

Hurricane Dorian ravaged the Bahamas at Category 5 speeds when it made landfall on Sunday afternoon and remained there until it began its move northwest on Tuesday. Buildings can be seen in shambles, cars crushed, and vegetation stripped. Bahamians even required boats to get around the island due to the severe flooding in the streets.

Dorian immensely impacted the Bahamas, leaving at least thirty individuals officially reported dead and homes and businesses completely demolished.

The Bahamas is an important place to many Floridians, “I have always loved my time in the Bahamas, it is truly a beautiful place with extraordinary people and it is devastating to see them struggling after Dorian,” said, Vitoria Queiroz, a Florida resident, and frequent traveler.

As a result, Florida residents and agencies are banding together to provide the Bahamas with some disaster relief in any way that they can.

Monetary donations are extremely helpful in disaster relief however, individuals are urged to do their research and ensure their donations are going to a reputable organization. In times like these, it is possible for the number of scams and frauds to increase and surface the web by asking for relief donations.

Anne Marie Van Casteren, PR Specialist for the City of Boca Raton, addressed this issue of skepticism, “We know during disasters such as these, people are very skeptical about what organization to donate or provide items to.”

The Walt Disney Company has also demonstrated their support towards the relief efforts through donating $1 million in aid to the Bahamas. The donation was led by Disney Cruise Line and Jeff Vahle, president of Disney Cruise Line. The Bahamas has been a popular port for the cruise line and Vahle hopes the $1 million will aid in the restoration of the Island and its people.

Along with monetary donations, a huge portion of the relief efforts has focused on item and supply donations for the Bahamian people. A basic list of items that can be donated includes: nonperishable goods, baby supplies, bedding, drinking water, cleaning supplies, medical supplies, and other necessities.

The following is a list of various places in Palm Beach County that are collecting donations:

- Ashely Sica Fitness: 7400 N Federal HWY Unit A4 Boca Raton, FL 33487
- Nomad Surf Shop: 4655 N. Ocean BLVD Boynton Beach, FL 33435
- Orange Theory Fitness: 2240 NW 19thSt. Boca Raton and 9097 W. Atlantic Ave. #110 in Delray Beach
- Roccos Tacos: all locations will be accepting supplies but large items should be dropped off at the West Palm location at 514 14th St. West Palm
- Trinity Lutheran Church and School: 400 N. Swinton Ave. Delray Beach—561-276-8458
- Dancing Lion Yoga Studio: 280 SE Sixth Ave Delray Beach—561-562-5080
- Shear Luck Salon: 530 NE 2nd St Delray Beach, FL 33483
- Palm Beach Outlets Supplies Drive: Customer Service inside the Food Pavilion. 1751 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. in West Palm Beach; 561/515-4400
- The Junior League is Partnering with the Boca Raton Fire Rescue Services, collecting donations at Firehouses 1 and 5. They are also collecting donations at the Vegso Community Resource Center: 261 NW 13th Street, Boca Raton
- IPIC has joined forces with local yacht and boat owners to send over supplies, they will be accepting donations at all of their locations:
  - 301 Plaza Real, Boca Raton FL 33432
  - 25 SE 4th Ave, Delray Beach FL 33483
  - 3701 NE 163rd Street, North Miami Beach FL 33160
- The Florida Brightline Company will be collecting supplies to take to the Bahamas on Tropic Airways. Donations can be dropped off at any of their station locations.
  - West Palm Station at 501 Evernia Street
  - Fort Lauderdale Station at 101 NW Second Ave
- Tin Roof Bar in Delray Beach will be putting together a Bahamas relief concert on October 3rd with music from BKH Band, Steel Town Religions and more. They are located at Eight E. Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach.
- The Rotary Club Boca Raton West is working closely with Rotary District 6990 clubs to collect supplies, the following are some of the locations they are accepting donations:
  - Arthe Beauty – Att Claudia
    717 E Palmetto Park Rd
    Boca Raton, Fl 33432
    (561) 251-5016
  - Olympus Academy
    8411 W. Palmetto Park Rd.
    Boca Raton, FL 33433
    (561) 900-5323
  - Novus Insurance – Rosana
    22763 State Road 7, Boca Raton, FL 33428
    (954) 263 8532
  - Ultimate Soccer Store
    1956 NE 5th Ave #1, Boca Raton, FL 33431
    (561) 757-3465