The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

GRAND Bahama resident Derek Stubbs led a relief effort to the “forgotten community” of Hunters on Monday, delivering food and clothing to the victims of Hurricane Matthew.

Hunters is one of the smaller southern coastal settlements that was devastated by the powerful storm. Many residents were displaced and suffered tremendous personal loss.

Residents felt overlooked in terms of relief assistance because many international relief organisations and persons from abroad had focused their attention on the larger settlements, such as Eight Mile Rock and West End in Grand Bahama.

Mr Stubbs, who has been involved in several hurricane relief campaigns, said the Church of God Christian Centre in Fort Lauderdale, led by Pastor Daniel Boyd, had donated 60 boxes of relief items for distribution to hurricane victims on Grand Bahama.

“Today we brought some food items, as well as new and used clothing in Hunters, and the response from residents was overwhelming,” he said.

“What was so great was that the residents of the community helped in the distribution because they know the needs of persons in their community, especially those who are shut in, and it was a big help,” Mr Stubbs said.

He said that a family in the US saw the devastation of Hurricane Matthew on Grand Bahama and wanted to assist the hurricane victims.

“They were very touched by what happened and wanted to do something to help the people here, and so they wondered how they could get the items down to Grand Bahama and who to send it to,” he said.

Mr Stubbs said that he felt good that they would entrust thousands of dollars worth of supplies, clothing and food items to him for distribution.

“I am happy and glad to be here in Hunters. And just as we got here, residents came out and were folding the clothes putting them together.”

Mr Stubbs said that he loves people and helping those in need.

“My joy in this is to make sure the items are distributed to those who need it, and I am happy to be a part of this relief effort,” he said.

“This is only 10 per cent of what was sent and we will be coming back to his area on Wednesday. We could not distribute everything but we brought enough to bring smiles on the face of people and help some families,” he said.

According to a resident of the area, people in the community felt overlooked. She felt a lot of attention was being paid to other settlements, and did not think people were giving them the kind of support they needed.

The resident thanked Mr Stubbs and the church in Fort Lauderdale for their assistance.

Mr Stubbs has helped in coordinating the Hurricane “victory rallies” in several of the hurricane-ravaged communities of Grand Bahama, including Eight Mile Rock and West End.

“When I came through this area with Pastor Barry Morris when he did the initial victory rally we heard the personal testimonies of persons in this area, and so Hunters was on the top of our minds. A lot of persons here are hurting and have no one to turn to,” he said.

“And it was the same thing in West End when we went there. We came through with water and the number of people that we saw in need was just numerous. And so, it is our hope to keep on pushing and helping as much persons as we can.”

Mr Stubbs said that there are also many persons from abroad who are willing to come in and assist with construction.

He noted that Service, Evangelism, and Assistance (SEA) Mission has been on the island helping with relief and rebuilding effort in Eight Mile Rock.

“It is a group I am working closely with and they are just phenomenal,” Mr Stubbs said.

He said that SEA Mission was on Grand Bahama three weeks ago feeding residents in the Eight Mile Rock community and repair roofs.

“They made 300 meals a day for five days and they came back last week and repaired the roof of the Church of God of Prophecy in Sea Grape, EMR, and completed the job in record time, and decided repair the roof of another resident in that community,” Mr Stubbs said.

Mr Stubbs will be visiting the Pinder’s Point community on Wednesday to deliver relief items to residents there.