{"id":51877,"date":"2025-11-18T23:13:19","date_gmt":"2025-11-18T23:13:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/51877\/"},"modified":"2025-11-18T23:13:19","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T23:13:19","slug":"tallahassees-jamaican-community-launches-major-relief-effort-for-hurricane-melissa-survivors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/51877\/","title":{"rendered":"Tallahassee\u2019s Jamaican community launches major relief effort for Hurricane Melissa survivors"},"content":{"rendered":"

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Tallahassee\u2019s Jamaican-American community is rallying around family and friends left with almost nothing after Hurricane Melissa<\/a> devastated the island nation.<\/p>\n

On Tuesday, faith leaders joined the Urban League in launching a fundraising campaign and donation drive, with plans to ship needed supplies straight from the capital city to Jamaica. <\/p>\n

Paulette McFarlane<\/a>, draped in the colors of her native home, asked her current home to step up. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe are on a mission,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n

McFarlane was on the island as the historic storm arrived.<\/p>\n

\u201cI left folks behind who are in dire need. I have seen it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Now, her church, New Hope International Outreach Ministries, is teaming up with Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, the Urban League and others.<\/p>\n

\"NewNew Hope International Outreach Ministries is teaming up with Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, the Urban League and others to raise money and supplies for Hurricane Melissa survivors. (Jacob Murphey\/WCTV)<\/p>\n

Bishop John Baker with New Hope International Outreach Ministries is also a Jamaican native and is close to those who are being forced to start over. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe bring to this community our vibrance, our culture, you know, that\u2019s us. So we are an integral part of this community,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019re targeting communities that are in these rural parishes, communities that we will have to walk on foot to get to them now.\u201d <\/p>\n

More Tallahassee news:<\/p>\n

The goal is to raise $100,000 and collect much-needed supplies, including large tarps (ideally enough to cover houses), sleeping bags, and small, solar-powered lights and chargers to keep phones powered. <\/p>\n

Bernard Salmon, a Hurricane Melissa survivor, said he has seen the heartbreak firsthand and will work on the ground to distribute supplies. <\/p>\n

\u201cJobless people, elderly people that are depending on us. Depending on dinner. Depending on stuff to survive,\u201d Salmon said. <\/p>\n

The hope is to ship the donations next Wednesday, but they\u2019ll continue to accept cash donations in the meantime. <\/p>\n

To donate online, click here<\/a>, or call (850) 274-3034 to have supplies picked up. <\/p>\n

Donations can also be taken to New Hope, located at 3426 Crawfordville Road in Tallahassee. <\/p>\n

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