In Jamaica, Hurricane Melissa left behind destruction that many families are still struggling to comprehend. The Category 5 storm destroyed communities and flooded roads, making resources like clean water and power inaccessible. Despite being so geographically far, members of the Jamaican community in Sault Ste. Marie have rallied to send hope home.
“Many people have lost their homes, livelihood and access to basic necessities,” shared Keisharee Barnes, a member of the Caribbean Association of Sault Ste. Marie. “We have some communities that are completely cut off. So, we wanted to do something tangible to help. That’s how this initiative began.”
With support from Helping Hands International, the Caribbean Association has founded a local effort—Sault Ste. Marie Sends Hope to Jamaica—to collect supplies and funds to send to Jamaica and help the country rebuild.
“It’s a small group of Jamaicans here in the Sault Ste. Marie community,” Barnes shared. “We’re collaborating in an effort to show love and concern for families and friends back home that have been deeply affected by Hurricane Melissa.”
For Barnes and others in the group, this tragedy is deeply personal.
“We do have families back home,” Barnes said. “And the wider Jamaican community here as well, we all have our families back home. And for some of us, we have families in those areas that were directly impacted.”
Despite the devastation, she says the group has been inspired by the worldwide response.
“We’ve seen an incredible outpouring of love and support from communities and organizations across the world,” said Barnes. “As a Jamaican, we’re truly grateful because it gives us hope that even after the disaster, the global response reinforces that Jamaica will rebuild again. That’s the same kind of hope we want to send to our people back home from right here in Sault Ste. Marie.”
The group has already received strong support from local organizations including the Sault Community Career Centre, Superior Staff It and Sault College’s International Office.
“These organizations so far have been very responsive and encouraging in their response to us,” Barnes said. “We’re so grateful to everyone who has reached out already. It reminds us that compassion knows no borders.”
How You Can Help
Donations of non-perishable food, bottled water, toiletries, baby items and first aid supplies are urgently needed. “With complete devastation, you can understand that we need everything,” Barnes said. “We’re not limiting people to what they want to contribute.”
Drop-off locations have been set up at:
- United Baptist Church, 41 Malabar Drive
- From Monday to Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
- Superior Staff It, 248 Queen Street East
- From Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Sault College International Office, 443 Northern Avenue (outside Student Services Centre, E Wing)
- From Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Mrs Marlene Smith's home (Member of the Caribbean Association), 114 Alexandra Street
- From Monday to Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The group aims to send its first relief shipment by the end of this month.
For those who prefer to give directly, donations can be made through Helping Hands International, which is partnering with the initiative to provide secure transfers and tax receipts.
SooToday is proud to lead this worthwhile cause through our SooToday Cares program in an effort to uplift our community.
The SooToday Cares team's mission is to create meaningful change in Sault Ste. Marie and inspire others to do the same.