There has been lots of talk and people stepping up from afar to help those affected by the San Pedro fire. My mom and stepdad immediately put money in my Canadian bank account for me to pass along. Yesterday I was asked politely if I was willing to address the individual fundraising campaigns sprouting up and being asked for all over Facebook. Here goes….
No Fund Me’s Please
A few people have started up “Go Fund Me” campaign type sites to raise money for the cause and we do appreciate everyone’s efforts and wanting to help. However it is easier for all of NGO’s collecting money to be approved by the Lions Den. If too many sites get out there it makes it hard to keep track of and it gets disorganized.
At a time like this we all need to be as organized and efficient as we can. This is an enormous task ahead of us and we appreciate everyone who is helping in any way. The Mayor and a few heads of each NGO came together yesterday afternoon and made a concrete plan which we are all doing our part to follow. Different organizations are working together, but still maintaining their own policies and protocols when it comes to disaster relief and management.
3 Ways to Make Out of Country Donations
There are 3 official ways to make a donation if you are not in the country and wanting to help persons affected by the San Pedro fire.
- Any USA Lions Club will take a donation for the San Pedro Lions Club, Belize. The official account is at Atlantic Bank… San Pedro Lions Club Fire Relief Fund account number 211382902
- Donations can be sent through Western Union to the Belize Red Cross – Attention Director General Mrs. Lily Bowman. Purpose: Benefit for San Pedro Fire Affected Persons.
- You can also donate using the South Ambergris Caye Neighborhood Watch direct donation link.
All monies collected by Individual NGO’s will be turned over to the San Pedro Lions to be distributed.
Reef Radio and TV Telethon
Tomorrow June 30th from 7:00am – 5:00 pm
All hands on deck. If you want to volunteer please show up between 6:30 am and 7:00 am for the morning shift. For the afternoon shift please come at 11:30 – noon.
Thanks in advance to all the businesses and families who join us regularly on our telethons by calling in or stopping by to donate live on the air. We have always welcomed the support and we need you more than ever now. It will take many grains of sand to rebuild what was leveled.
Emergency Operations Committee (EOC) update
- Extra clothes will be donated through the food bank to the affected families and there will be a sell-a-thon for the left overs.
- Site demolition is underway and the affected area should be clear by tomorrow evening as the guys are working till around 8:00 or 9:00 p.m. The land should be clear and then there will be a celebration and a blessing with volunteers and heads of churches.
- NEMO will be spearheading the formation of a federation which includes NGO’s for disaster relief initiatives.
- Report from the Lions den… clothes, sheets, bedding are still available and on Friday. One week packs will be distributed and then next Friday 2 weeks packs will be distributed.
- 2 shipments by Tropic Air of 38 boxes were sent by Belize Red Cross Headquarters. Two week packs are being made with the hygiene and kitchen lots and being distributed by the San Pedro Branch with the assistance of Terence Woodye and Jessie Young from Headquarters.
- The food bank may be able to provide continuous support for a period of time, which will be decided by the mayor.
- Projects Abroad volunteers are active in the disaster relief program.
- 27 families have received items from NEMO distributions.
- A second container with more items such as stoves and tanks is en route to the island.
- Cooked foods are being donated by Shalom, Ramon’s Village, Elvi’s Kitchen, Palapa Bar & Grill, Finn and Martini, El Pescador and Annie’s Pastries.
- The count has gone from 27 families to 34, from 88 individuals to 94 affected by the fire.
- 7 Scout Federation personnel arrives tomorrow.
- Pumps will be donated to the island from Blackadore Caye. Training will be needed to operate them.
Many more thank yous to all the people yet still stepping up to help.
I love this post and completely agree about the “Go Fund Me” pages.
Thank you for helping the cause Hilary.
So sorry to hear about this, Lauri. I will be donating asap.
Good article
lauri….u r a jem.