How to help the Bahamas
The Bahamas, and especially the Abacos and Grand Bahama Island, have been a big part part of our lives here at OceanLife. Even some of our products come from people who live in the Abacos.
As we ourselves prepared for Hurricane Dorian at our home and office in East Central Florida, we've watched the images coming from the Bahamas with horror and sadness, not to mention a sense of "survivor's guilt" in knowing that Florida avoided a similar fate by mere chance.
As the final bands of Dorian now pull away from Florida, all that's on our mind is one thing: how can we help ease the suffering of the beautiful people who call the Bahamas home?
We've been doing some research about the best ways to help. Number one right now seems to be donating essentials. If, like us, you stocked up on supplies in anticipation for a direct strike from Dorian, please consider donating them.
The Bahamian government lists the following items that are most in need:
Building Supplies:
- Plywood/Lumber
- Sheet rock
- Roofing materials (shingles, tar paper, etc.)
- Drip caps
- Nails
- Plastic Sheeting Rolls/Tarpaulin (various sizes)
- Chain Saws
Cleaning Supplies:
- Mops & Buckets
- Towels & towelettes
- Gloves
- Wet Wipes
- Large Plastic Trash Bags
- Bleach
- Chlorine tablets
- Lysol
- Disinfectant
Groceries:
- Water & Water Containers
- Canned goods
- Meals Ready to Eat (MRE's)
- Non-perishable Dry Goods
- Baby Juice
- Baby Food
- Baby Formula
- Cereal
Home & Outdoor:
- Generators
- Portable Stoves
- Butane Canisters
- Blankets
- Air Mattresses
- Mattresses (single or double)
- Pillows
- Sheet sets
- Non-Electronic Can Openers
Safety & Hygiene:
- First Aid Kits
- Water Filtration Devices
- Mosquito repellent
- Flashlights
- Hygiene Kits
- Diapers
- Baby wipes
Please note, they are not in need of used clothes at the moment.
You can find the locations of places to drop off or send supplies in South Florida at the Bahamas.com website.
Bahamas Fundraising Products
We also created some shirt designs and framed prints related to Hurricane Dorian's devastation in the islands.
ALL profits from sales of the shirts are donated directly to the Bahamas Relief efforts. We will publish our donations online along with confirmation from the relief agencies.
Not only will your purchase be helping the people of the Bahamas; you'll also be spreading the word wherever you go and reminding people that we cannot forget our neighbors in the Bahamas during such a tragic time.