GoFundMe Launched To Help Jamaican Hurricane Victims

A GoFundMe campaign is swiftly raising funds in support of the victims impacted by the devastation brought on in Jamaica by Hurricane Melissa last week.

Mac Hay, owner of Mac’s Seafood, started the fundraiser on Oct. 29. By mid-afternoon Monday, the account had raised close to $89,000 for victims in Black River and St. Elizabeth, areas that have been hit hard by the storm. The fundraiser is aiming to raise $100,000 in relief funding for “basic humanitarian needs” such as food and temporary shelter.

“Those affected are the hardworking employees that have been serving you in our restaurants, stores and markets for decades and now need your support in a big way,” Hay wrote in a message on the GoFundMe page. “We thank them for their hard work, and now it's time to stand beside them and show them they are not alone.” 

The damage brought on by Melissa is personal for Hay, who has employed Jamaican workers in his restaurants since 2000.

“I think it started off with four Jamaicans that were on the visa program with us,” he said when reached by phone Monday. “Basically it was ‘Hey, I have a cousin. I have a brother. I have a sister who wants to come.’ It kind of expanded from there.”

Hay, who operates two restaurants in Wellfleet in addition to locations in Chatham, Eastham and Provincetown, said his restaurants today employ between 50 and 60 people from the island annually. Many of them work on seasonal visas, while others have citizenship or a green card and work here year-round. 

“Once the totality of what happened in Jamaica became evident, I don’t know, it was just my first reaction to try and do something to help in some way,” he said.

Partnering in the fundraising effort are a number of local businesses and organizations, among them the Orleans Chamber of Commerce. Judy Lindahl, the chamber’s executive director, has family with property in Black River.

“The recent devastation in Black River, St. Elizabeth and surrounding areas in Jamaica has left many families struggling to rebuild their lives,” Lindahl said. “Our community has a long history of connection with Jamaica, and now is the time to show our support.”

Lindahl’s niece and her husband live in Harwich, but own property in the east side of Jamaica, where her niece’s husband is from.

“Just as a family being concerned about their family’s well-being, we’ve been in touch,” she said. “Thankfully their side of the island was OK, not severely damaged like the west side of the island. The west side of the island needs some extreme help.”

Hay said the Orleans chamber and other partnering organizations are using their respective platforms to “provide exposure” to the fundraiser and the need for humanitarian relief in Jamaica. Among them is the Pals for Life Foundation, which provides financial assistance to hospitality workers in need.

All money raised through the GoFundMe campaign will be sent to “vetted relief organizations in Jamaica.” Those include the St. Elizabeth branch of the Jamaica Red Cross, the Holy Spirit Foundation, the JAHJAH Foundation, Paths and Gateways, the DESSO Foundation, the St. Elizabeth Poor Relief Department and the St. Elizabeth Municipal Corporation.

Beyond the GoFundMe, a fundraiser is being organized for Sunday, Nov. 9 at Hog Island Beer Co. in Orleans, with proceeds going to provide further support to those affected by the hurricane. The event will feature Jamaican food, live music and a DJ. Beyond raising money, Hay said the event will hopefully rally the community in support of the effort.

“This is a perfect example of how we are one world,” he said. “We are one people, as the Jamaicans say. And this is our time to show the Jamaican community and other communities in the United States that this is what we need to do. We need to show humanity.”

To donate to the GoFundMe campaign visit gofundme.com/f/rebuild-black-river-support-hurricane-relief.