Hurricane relief efforts for Jamaica are underway in Queens and the Mayor’s Office.
Organizations such as the St. Albans Civic Improvement Association, District 20-K1 Lions of Brooklyn & Queens, Let Your Light So Shine and the Addisleigh Park Civic Organization are working to help the island country.
Oster Bryan, president of the St. Albans Civic Improvement Association, is collaborating with his team to collect nonperishable canned food and sanitary items for the island nation, which was hit by a category 5 hurricane on Tuesday, Oct. 28.
People may call or email Bryan at (347) 433-6833 or ogbryan@gmail.com.
“The western part of the island was hit pretty rough, especially on the low-lying areas,” Bryan told the Chronicle. “It is our responsibility to always be supporters as human beings when people are in need. We just want to our part.”
Iris Allen, the cabinet secretary of District 20-K1 Lions of Brooklyn & Queens, said via email that the district governor, Jennifer Seymour-Wright, has activated an alert team to organize relief efforts among the more than 65 Lions and 24 Leos Clubs in the boroughs to plan relief efforts for the affected area. There are more than 2,000 members in the group.
People interested in donating or partnering with the group for the relief efforts may contact Julian Embrack, the Alert team chairperson, at (917) 216-6192. To learn more, visit brooklynqueenslions.org.
“Our mission is to empower Lions clubs, volunteers and partners to improve health and wellbeing, strengthen communities, and support those in need through humanitarian service and grants that impact lives globally, and encourage peace and international understanding,” said Allen.
Let Your Light So Shine, a consulting firm for nonprofits in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan and Queens, based in Bellerose, is reaching out to different community partners to help with the relief efforts.
Racquel Chariah, the founder and CEO of the organization, said her sister-in-law, Zoya Rama-Davis, is from the island.
“Jamaica is a really a land of happy people,” said Rama-Davis, via text. “Sometimes, when things are rough for one person, another will appear with a bag of flour, breadfruit, provisions and meat, just to be helpful. Things like that happen all the time in Jamaica. Now, an alarmingly large number of Jamaicans are in desperate need of help. Many have lost their homes, many have lost their family members, their schools, their land. Though we Jamaicans are resilient, we could benefit from the generosity of other countries.”
If interested in helping the firm with its relief efforts, call Chariah at (917) 579-8265.
Bill Scarborough from the Addisleigh Park Civic Organization told the Chronicle he is sending an email blast about a collection drive by some Southeast Queens elected officials.
Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman (D-Springfield Gardens), whose mother is Jamaican, is teaming up with state Sen. Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) and Assemblyman Clyde Vanel (D-Queens Village) for the collection drive.
“My heart goes out to the people of Jamaican,” Hyndman told the Chronicle via text, “and now we must follow through with assistance so that people can rebuild from this devastation.”
Items needed include batteries, construction tools, flashlights, gloves, ice packs/igloos, household items, nonperishable food and clothing.
People may drop off the donated items to her office, at 232-06 Merrick Blvd. in Springfield Gardens.
To make monetary donations, go online to supportjamaica.gov.jm.
People seeking more information may call (718) 723-5412.
State Sen. James Sanders Jr. (D-South Ozone Park) has teamed up with Council Majority Whip Selvena Brooks-Powers (D-Laurelton), who is Jamaican, for an aid drive.
Items needed include nonperishables such as water, canned goods, baby food, rice and pasta; new or gently used clothing; blankets and bedding; hygiene kits (soap, toothpaste, diapers and feminine products); flashlights; heavy duty garbage bags; batteries (AA); and over-the -counter medications (pain relievers, cold and flu).
People may drop off the items to Sanders’ or Brooks-Powers’ offices, located at 142-01 Rockaway Blvd. in South Ozone Park and 19-31 Mott Ave., Suite 410, in Far Rockaway, respectively.
The Mayor’s Office said its heart goes out to its brothers and sisters in Jamaica and surrounding islands and that it stands in solidarity with the city’s Caribbean community and their families and loved ones impacted by the storm.
The Mayor’s Office for International Affairs has been in touch with the Jamaican consulate about the best ways to help the people and said it will keep the public apprised as it learns more.
The Mayor’s Office also shared the supportjamaica.gov/jm website and said it’s a challenging time and any help will go a long way.