‘My family in Jamaica was recently devastated by Hurricane Melissa, which has left many homes and communities severely damaged’

Warren Lindsay is trying his best from afar to support family and friends in Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa left a checkerboard of ruin across many parts of the Caribbean island. 

Lindsay, who grew up in southern Ontario, has lived in North Bay for more than a decade and currently works with the student union at Nipissing University. 

He says he has very close family ties to Jamaica. 

“My parents were born in Jamaica,” he said.  

“They came over to Canada when they were around high school age, but I’ve been going back pretty much every summer when I was younger, and then when I was old enough to go by myself, I would go over as often as I could. I have a ton of family there, my mom and my dad both have a really large family, so I’ve got a lot of aunts and uncles and great aunts and great uncles that are over there.”  

Lindsay is not a hurricane expert, but he says a storm of this magnitude hasn’t hit the island since the 1980s.

‘My family in Jamaica was recently devastated by Hurricane Melissa, which has left many homes and communities severely damaged,” he said. 

He says his great aunt and uncle, who live in a remote area near the city of Mandeville, have been hit the hardest by the Hurricane. 

“Most of my great aunt’s house is washed out, and they have no roof,” Lindsay noted.  

With both relatives in their 70s, Lindsay became increasingly concerned.

“Where are they staying? What are they going to eat? She has a bunch of chickens and a field across the road from her that she’ll grow cabbage and carrots and everything like that, so all of that’s gone. It’s a more remote area, so there’s no grocery store around. She ran a little shop at the front of her house, and that’s gone. The nearest grocery store doesn’t have power.” 

That’s when Lindsay decided to take action. He went to social media with a post about a fundraiser for his family and other families impacted by the devastation.  

“Every dollar collected will go straight to families and individuals on the ground in Jamaica who need immediate assistance with food, supplies, and rebuilding efforts,” said Lindsay. 

“To stay transparent, I’ll personally track and share updates and expenses so everyone who donates knows exactly how their contribution is being used. I’ll also be sending barrels packed with supplies, and I’m accepting physical donations.”

The items include: rice, cooking oil, sugar, flour, sardines, corn beef, kidney bean in tin or dry tang – juice – ice tea mix, evaporated milk, condense milk, Ovaltine – Nesquik, soap, toiletries, feminie products, diapers, towels, used cell phones, power saw, tools, water treatment, bug repellant, power banks (10,000 mAh+ ideally), solar chargers (20-30W), flashlights (small LED flashlight or USB-powered light, ensure flashlight can be charged via USB or power bank), inverters (300W+up). 

“Every contribution — whether it’s a donation, sharing this post, or spreading the word — makes a real difference,” said Lindsay. 

Those interested in donating or learning more can contact Lindsay directly or reach out via Instagram or Facebook.