The St. Petersburg community banded together to help those in crisis.
By Katlynn Mullins
After Hurricane Dorian ravaged the Bahamas for days as a Category 5 storm, a local nonprofit stepped in to help.
Sol Relief began sending planes filled with supplies out of Albert Whitted Airport on Sept. 3. By Sept. 8, the organization had so many donations that it temporarily suspended acceptance.
USF St. Petersburg’s Student Government partnered with the organization to help raise money and supplies to aid in relief.
“We here in the Bay area were lucky to have only been marginally impacted, but that is not true for all of the communities USFSP represents,” said student body Vice President Hannah Rose Wanless, in a written statement.
Sol Relief has collected over 36,000 pounds of supplies, sent 18 relief flights and is still assisting in evacuations, according to the organization’s website and Facebook page.
As a nonprofit, 100 percent of proceeds go toward the cause, and because the organization is based in St. Petersburg, donation centers are easily accessible.
This was important to SG when searching for a partner because they “wanted to make sure all donations were sent directly to the Bahamian Islands,” Wanless said.
She feels the organization “hit the ground running” with their efforts.
“This (was) a university-wide initiative,” said student body President Jadzia “Jazzy” Duarte.
According to Duarte, the University Student Center, the Wellness Center and Dean of Students, Jacob Diaz, were partners in the drive.
“Most of our response has been in support for the effort started by SG, and we’re thankful that they have taken up the charge,” said Anthony Carinci, associate director of the USC.
“We are thankful that the hurricane didn’t have a more devastating impact on the St. Pete community and hope the supplies that (were) gathered can be useful to those that have experienced hardships in the Bahamas,” Carinci said.
With all the donations received, Sol Relief stopped accepting items on Sunday, Sept. 8, at 3 p.m.
“At this time, we anticipate that we have enough donated supplies to transport,” Sol Relief said in a Facebook post early Saturday afternoon.
The organization will continue to focus on “airlifting deliveries, evacuations, specific need requests,” and encouraging volunteers to sign up and assist with packing for deliveries.
They advised in a Facebook comment that people should keep donations if they can, as the drive could open back up if supplies are still needed.
“We just need to make sure that the Bahamians have the infrastructure” for the contributions, the comment said.
SG will be taking the remainder of donations from the drive to Pinellas County’s Habitat for Humanity, Wanless said in a written statement. If students are still looking for ways to help, Sol Relief and the American Red Cross are accepting monetary donations. BloodOne is also hosting blood drives to help those affected by Hurricane Dorian. Locations can be found here.
