The Bahamas-Suggestions on How to help from Barry Rassin-Rotary Immediate Past President

District 7980 donated $10,000 out of our District Foundation allocated for Dorian Bahamas Disaster Relief.  Colin Gershon called a south Florida Rotarian, Maria Kesti, an AG of D6990 (which includes the Bahamas), and asked her to provide specifics on how D6990 is determining the use of the funds.  She said that the 5 excellent Bahamian Rotary Clubs are requesting funds for specific purposes - and D6990’s Disaster Relief Fund is underwriting the delivery of relief supplies in containers. Her husband, Michael, is very much involved in D6990 relief effort. Individual Rotarians and clubs in District 7980 have also donated for Bahamas relief through the same route. 

This is from past Rotary International President Barry Rassin on how to donate to help the Bahamas and other areas affected by Hurrican Dorian.

Hurricane Dorian is finally moving on with a path of complete destruction behind it. We have a number of funds available for those of you who want to help.
1. The Bahamas Disaster Fund (details on my last post) These funds will all go toward relief for the islands destroyed.
2. DAF #574 at The Rotary Foundation. You can specify where the funds you donate are spent by island or country or Rotary District
3. Each Rotary District has their own fund which they will use at their discretion.
4.The Rotary Foundation has a Disaster Fund which will provide disaster grants up to $25,000. You cannot designate where your donation will be spent.
I hope that brings clarity so you can make a decision as to how you assist.


This is from Tari Marshal Day about District 6990 and Hurricane Dorian

Tari Marshall Day	12:07 PM (3 hours ago)
to Colin, Ron, Jeff, Trish, me

https://rotary6990.org/  hi guys! This link has a very cool program going on. They have a ship, containers etc ... I believe Linda Bouvier is in that District? Someone sent me this link to see what is going on there. Take a minute to look if D-7980 were considering anything out of the Relief fund that could be "grown" by Club donations.

This week the Bahamas took a direct hit from category 5 Hurricane Dorian, with winds that reached 180 miles per hour. This storm has battered these islands and the rebuilding process will take years.

Grand Bahama Island has 5 Rotary clubs and is a valued part of Rotary District 6990. We will do everything possible to help them recover from the devastation.  

Rotary International District 6990 has secured a 181-foot ship and begun the efforts to fill four (4) 20-foot containers with needed supplies to aid in the Hurricane Dorian Relief Efforts. The local Rotary Clubs will be collecting items and packing them for the first shipment by this weekend.

Items being collected are Cleaning Supplies, Tarps, Toiletries, Diapers, Gloves, First Aid, Sunscreen, Clean Towels and Rags, Flashlights, Batteries, Building & Repair Supplies, Canned Food Goods (non-perishable), Garbage Bags, and others.  For a complete list of items, see list below.

Currently, items are being collected at the following locations:

Broward County

• SpareZ Bowling –  5325 S University Dr, Davie / 9:00am to 1:00am, seven days a week
• Weston Hills Country Club, 2600 Country Club Way, Weston /  Tuesday, Sept. 3–Friday, Sept. 6. 7 am–10 pm
• International Montessory Kids Center, 602 Anderson Circle, Deerfield Beach / Wednesday and Thursday 9am – 8pm
• The City of Hallandale Beach Cultural Community Center, 410 SE 3rd Street, Hallandale Beach

Dade County

• Florida Blue Center (The Falls) – 8895 SW 136th Street, Miami / Hours: M-F 9am-7pm & Sat 9am-4pm
• Coral Gables Fire Station 1 (Headquarters) 2815 Salzedo Street
• Coral Gables Fire Station 2, 525 South Dixie Highway
• Coral Gables Fire Station 3, 11911 Old Cutler Road

Monroe County

• Winn Dixie Tavernier Towne Center,  92100 Overseas Hwy, Tavernier, FL 33070 (Drop off times to be announced) 
• Key Largo Publix at Tradewinds Plaza, 101437 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037 / 8am-10pm Wednesday and Thursday

Rotary International District 6990 has a non-profit fund, The Robbins Fund, which was established over twenty years ago to aid in Disaster Recovery Efforts. Make your monetary contribution below. If interested in assisting or volunteering in this and on-going efforts to support the recovery, please contact a Rotary Club in your area via www.rotary.org.

Ray Williams, District Governor for Rotary International District 6990, stated “Unfortunately, we have done this before – assisted other communities in their recovery efforts from previous disasters. Grand Bahama Islands is part of our Rotary District and we truly feel that they are part of our family! Rotarians are known for helping those in need, as our motto “Service Above Self” clearly states!”

Don Horton, Chair – Disaster Relief, started collecting items to fill a shipping container on Monday, including visiting Costco and utilizing disaster relief funds approved by the Rotary District. Don stated, “Rotarians from around the world assisted us here in The Florida Keys two years ago. This is a big undertaking, but we are Rotarians, and this is what we do!”

For more information about the Rotary International District 6990 Hurricane Dorian Relief Efforts and our Rotary Clubs, contact Don Horton (305) 522-2062 or visit www.rotary6990.org.