Philadelphia's Jamaican consulate collecting donations as Hurricane Melissa bears down on the island nation
Landslides, fallen trees and flooding have already been reported in Jamaica as Hurricane Melissa was beginning to make landfall as a Category 5 storm Tuesday. Hurricane Melissa is one of the strongest hurricanes to form in the Atlantic Ocean since records have been kept, with sustained winds of 185 mph, multiple feet of rain and high storm surge posing threats to people and structures.
International authorities have warned the storm will be damaging and that there is potential for a humanitarian crisis with many Jamaicans in need of rescue or assistance. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies estimated 1.5 million people could see impacts from the storm.
If you are in the Philadelphia area and you want to help Jamaican residents affected by Melissa, the Consulate of Jamaica in Philadelphia and a local teacher are collecting donations and are in need of volunteers to help with relief efforts.
Are you collecting donated items to help residents of Jamaica impacted by the storm? Reach out to us at newsdesk@cbs3.com and we can add your collection to this list.
Here are the details released by the consulate and by a local teacher Tuesday for helping victims of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica.
If you have items to donate
There will be a need for tarps, generators, canned food and personal hygiene items, the consulate says. No used clothing or linens will be accepted. Batteries and flashlights are also in high demand.
You can bring these donations to Besco Shippers at 5425 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19143. Besco accepts donations Monday through Friday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
If you would like to provide donated items on Sundays, you can visit True United Church at 6201 Old York Road, Philadelphia, PA 19141, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Cheltenham High School teacher Candy Manning is also helping collect donations for the country where she was born and raised.
Manning is collecting canned, non-perishable food, diapers, first-aid kits and clothing. She plans to ship these items in barrels to Jamaica.
Items can be dropped off at Cheltenham High School from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. this week.
Here are more locations where you can help victims of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica:
- Grace Community Church of God of Prophecy, 4982 Master Street, Philadelphia, Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Norristown Church of God, 329 East Wood Street, Norristown, Pa., Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- West End New Testament Church of God, 23 West Marshall Street, Norristown, Pa., Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Greater Glory Church of God, 2227 Bryn Mawr Avenue, Philadelphia, Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Church of the Good Shepherd, 654 Church Lane, Yeadon, Pa.
- The First African Baptist Church, 700 North 67th Street, Philadelphia
Thousands of people with ties to Jamaica live in Philadelphia
According to Global Philadelphia, more than 10,000 Jamaicans live in the city, many of whom still have family on the island. In West Philadelphia, home to one of the largest Jamaican populations in the region, the community is coming together to provide aid and comfort from afar.
At Jamrock Kitchen, a popular restaurant at 63rd Street and Girard Avenue, head chef Horace Williams has been busy preparing classic dishes like jerk chicken and oxtail. But this week, his focus has been split between his kitchen and the television news reports showing Melissa's destruction.
"Pretty worried, but I know they understand what to do," Williams said. "They're all survivors. We just have to keep our fingers crossed and send a prayer."
Williams said about half of his 17 siblings still live in Jamaica.
Community leaders are encouraging Philadelphians to show support by eating at local Jamaican restaurants and donating essential items to relief drives across the city.
"It makes me speechless because I was there for Gilbert, and now they're saying this is worse than Gilbert," said Michelle Tulloch-Neil, the Northeast representative for the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council. "This is something Jamaica has never experienced. We don't even know what to expect."
If you want to volunteer your time
Prospective volunteers should reach out via email to Chris@jamaicaconsulatephiladelphia.com.