Lee students assist those affected by Hurricane Dorian
Photo by Jada Camille.
Students from various clubs are using creative outlets to help the Bahamas with hurricane disaster relief, including the Bahamian Connection Club (BCC) and the Lee University Caribbean Association (LUCA).
On Sept. 2, Hurricane Dorian crashed into the Abacos and Grand Bahama islands as a Category 5 with winds up to 185 mph. Reports by the United States Navy show over 1,300 homes destroyed and up to 2,300 people are missing.
Dhuranique Ferguson, a junior exercise science major and president of both BCC and LUCA, decided something must be done for those affected by this natural disaster.
Ferguson and her administration sponsor, Student Development Staff Coordinator Audra Iannarone, discovered that through Operation Compassion they could send a 40-ton container full of necessities over to the Bahamas for $2,000.
Ferguson met with the club members of BCC and LUCA. They decided to send two containers over, meaning they needed to raise $4,000 as soon as possible. The team started brainstorming ideas on how they could raise money to help the Bahamas.
Bahamian Connection Club at Culture Fest. Photo by Jada Camille.
“[The ideas] came from just a push of all us thinking we had to do something—we had to do more,” said Ferguson. “What are the next steps that we could take? What are the little things that we could do to get [ideas] implemented as quickly as possible?”
They have met fundraising efforts through a lemonade stand on campus, which raised over $600 in three hours. The club also sells “Hope Rope” which are strands of yarn in the Bahamian flag colors—yellow, black and blue—braided together to make key chains, bracelets and anklets. As of last week, the fund is at $2,300.
Students can help this team’s mission by supporting financially or by donating canned goods and everyday necessities.
“Think of things that you need in day-to-day life, [such as] portable chargers, flashlights, duct tape and baby formula. [Some] people don’t have anything,” said Evan Diaz, a sophomore graphic design major and a board member of LUCA. “The simplest things you can think of is what they need the most.”
The team believes that God has been guiding them in each part of their mission.
“God has given me strength to express how I feel and explain my point clearly and efficiently,” said Ferguson.
The clubs are planning a Benefit Concert on Oct. 27 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets will be sold for $2 per student and $3 for non-students. Donations will also be accepted. The event will feature singing, poetry, inspirational speeches and live videos shared from those who witnessed Hurricane Dorian first-hand.
