The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A MAJOR relief effort is underway by private citizens in Grand Bahama to collect and transport essential relief supplies to residents in the central and southern Bahamas devastated by Hurricane Joaquin.

Freeport businessmen Eddie Whan and Justin Snisky wasted no time over the weekend spearheading a relief drive and appealing to locals to donate water and nonperishable food items.

On Sunday, the men were out at Solomon’s Lucaya receiving supplies and food donations. The response was so overwhelming they were able to fill a 40ft container in five hours.

They plan to send out their first shipment on Wednesday, if the weather permits.

“It kind of hits home because we have been through this, in 2004. We understand what they are going through and we said with our contacts and outreach, we could put together a fundraising drive,” said Mr Snisky.

“We really appreciate all the support from the community. Bahamians here and abroad have been calling us from Canada, and all over the US wanting to support and donate.”

Mr Snisky said that the drive is an ongoing effort and they have set up a collection area at Control Chemicals on Queen’s Highway where persons can drop off food, water, clothing, baby food, baby diapers, bleach, and other essential items between 8am and 5pm.

“As we get the shipment in we will try to get them out as quickly as possible. We are going to the entire southern Bahamas where persons have been affected.

“And we are going to keep going. It is not just a couple days; this will be an ongoing effort… because people are in dire need and we are here to help them,” he said.

As members of the Bahamas Air Sea and Rescue Association (BASRA) in Grand Bahama, Mr Whan and Mr Snisky were able to find out through their contacts in the affected islands what the needs are in those areas.

Mr Whan said getting the shipment out is a major priority and they are in talks with persons who have airplanes, as well as boaters who are willing to assist in getting the supplies down to the islands.

He stated that he and his wife at Control Chemicals will pay for the planes and boats to get the trailers out if they have to.

“I was on the phone with a company we deal with in the US trying to get an airplane in case the weather does not break; my wife and I will pay for the couple planes and boats to go down there,” he said.

“Our heart goes out to persons in the southern and central Bahamas. We know what it is to be beat up going through (Hurricanes) Frances and Jeanne, and our friends down in south are really in need, right now,” he said.

Mr Whan was very encouraged by the quick support they have received in such a short period of time.

“After posting the notice on Saturday, we immediately began receiving feedback from persons and decided instead to start the drive on Sunday at Solomon’s, and the turn out we had was just phenomenal; we had a 25-ft truck stocked and loaded with items,” he said.

Mr Whan said that people continued to turn up at Control Chemicals on Monday. He pledged his continued support in relief efforts.

“I will move heaven and earth to help. I don’t care what it takes, we will get the stuff down there because I know how I felt when we got demolished here,” he said.