FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (FNN NEWS) – Florida escaped a direct hit from Hurricane Dorian, a category 5 hurricane with winds of 157 mph or higher that can cause “catastrophic” destruction, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Dorian didn’t spare the Bahamas from its deadly wrath, causing a massive humanitarian crisis for its citizens.
Following Hurricane Dorian’s historic, devastating impact to the Bahamas, leading members of the South Florida business and philanthropic communities today announced they have come together to create the Bahamian Relief Consortium as part of Mission Resolve (MissionResolve.org). 100% of the proceeds raised by Mission Resolve’s Bahamian Relief Consortium will go directly to provide relief to the children and families affected by Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas and other affected areas.
The rapidly growing group already includes senior executives from Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, Resolve Marine Group, Entercom Communications, Celebration of the Sea Foundation, Broward Workshop, South Florida Chapter of Entrepreneur’s Organization, The Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, Keys Strong, Gold Aviation, JetScape, Tropic Air, Premier Protection Insurance, Dimor Aero and Marine Connection, as well as representatives from numerous various state volunteer organizations.
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, which has operated round-trip cruises from the Port of Palm Beach to Freeport, Grand Bahama Island for the past decade, is known for stepping up to the plate during times of crisis. The company deployed Grand Celebration to St. Thomas in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, working alongside Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) to house more than 2,000 first responders for two months after the storm.
Working together, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line and Mission Resolve are engaged in daily direct communications with the Bahamian government – including Deputy Prime Minister Kevin Peter Turnquest – to determine the critical areas of need in order to serve as a liaison for those looking to assist in the Hurricane Dorian recovery effort. Donations, real-time updates and ongoing information on how to provide support the Mission Resolve relief efforts are accessible online at www.MissionResolve.org.
“Our friends, partners and neighbors in the Bahamas were dealt a harsh hand this week by Hurricane Dorian, and they have a very long and difficult road ahead, as they begin to pick up the pieces of their lives and homes and begin the hard work to rebuild their community,” said Oneil Khosa, Bahama Paradise Cruise Line’s CEO. “Our hearts go out to all of those impacted and at this time of great need, we feel it is imperative to issue a rapid response, demonstrating our full support through action. With the creation of the Bahamian Relief Consortium, we’ve assembled a powerhouse group of business and non-profit and social service leaders from across South Florida. We are proud to see so many people stepping up to the plate in such a significant way.”
In addition to monetary donations, which are now being accepted, items are being accepted at various drop-off points – including Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line’s Riviera Beach warehouse – which can be found on the Mission Resolve website and include, among other things:
- Canned goods
- Building supplies (roofing materials, tar paper, plywood, etc.)
- Water
- Sheetrock
- Hygiene products
- First Aid kits
- Mosquito repellent
- Blankets
- Chlorine tablets
- Pampers, baby wipes, and baby food
“In times like these, it’s critical that we all move quickly to assess the need and then provide assistance directly for those who so desperately need it,” said Joe Farrell, co-founder of Mission Resolve. “Our Resolve Marine Group has just been asked by the Bahamian Government to survey the port in Grand Bahama and we have our team there now. We are incredibly proud to be part of this extraordinary consortium helping serve the Bahamian relief effort and we are hopeful many more wonderful members of our South Florida community will continue to join us.”
Central Florida News21 hours ago
