Elizabeth Robinson, a nursing director at Cape Coral Hospital, is making efforts to stay connected with her husband, who is currently in Jamaica. Communication is limited due to the severe impact of Hurricane Melissa on the island.
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“I have a lot of family that’s still in Jamaica,” Robinson said. “My husband has just recently traveled back to Jamaica. Unfortunately, his sister is blind, and he’s been out there trying to provide some care for her, and especially important that he was there for her during the hurricane where she needed extra help.”
The devastation caused by the hurricane has left Jamaica in a dire situation.
“It is total devastation in some of the areas,” Robinson said. “We know that the island of Jamaica will take years to recover, but we are in an apocalyptic moment in which there has been total devastation.”
In response, Robinson and her staff at Cape Coral Hospital organized a hurricane relief donation drive.
“Robinson says you can bring in items like canned foods and rice, because every little bit goes a long way,” said Camila Pereira of Cape Coral.
The team is collaborating with a shipping company to ensure the donations reach those in need.
“We are working with a shipping company that is going to help us,” Robinson said. “They will come and be picking up these items, putting them on pallet and getting them to Kingston, Jamaica, where we will have a warehouse where we will assemble the items, and we will have a truck that will be going to those hard hit areas to distribute.”
Robinson expressed her deep connection to Jamaica and her determination to help.
“My heart is in Jamaica right now with the suffering that’s happening and the humanitarian crisis that is unfolding right in our backyard,” Robinson said. “And so, for me, I’m energized with the prospect of being able to give back to the island that I love.”
The donation drive will continue until the end of November.