WAYS TO HELP #HOPE4HOPETOWN RIGHT NOW

THE LATEST FROM HOPE 4 HOPE TOWN’S EFFORTS

A MESSAGE FROM H4HT’S ED STROBEL

DAY 66 Tuesday 11/5/2019 - 9+ weeks since the hurricane left Abaco.

I am sitting in Hopetown harbour writing this after spending a few days with so many amazing hard working "hope" full people. We traveled to Marsh a couple times, Lubbers, MOW and all over Hopetown and Elbow. When I have more time I will give a full account but for now the quick version.

Marsh has stores opening daily and Maxwells (huge grocery store) is almost fully stocked and set to open in the next day or so. Government trailers everywhere and plans to get the fence fixed at the airport and get the terminal running are going well. Once those are finished, the FAA will inspect and then finally allow flights to the USA direct!!! This will be a big step for them and all the islands. Boat Harbour was very badly damaged but they are working on the docks already and expect a mid April opening for the Marina and some services.

MOW is leading the pack with cleanup thanks to the people and Samaritan's purse heavy equipment. Streets and most lots are cleared and containers coming in a out nicely. We met with the leadership on the island and found power to be their main concern now as they start the rebuilding process.

We did not land at Lubbers but did a water recon and not much cleanup seems to be going on yet but some of the H4H equipment is headed that way in the next couple weeks.

Hopetown has never lost hope and every day people do their parts and more to keep everyone safe, fed and productive. Cleanup is moving slowly and more machinery and operators are needed to get this moving along. Feeding continues at Firefly in the center island and the sailing club downtown. On Da Beach is the only open bar we found and all their proceeds are going to help HTVFR continue their mission so Drink up for a good cause!! We drove all the way to the far south tip and White sound is in bad shape but many homes are already being repaired and able to be lived in south of there. Tahiti Beach has grown and every low tide helps mentally transport people to the S Pacific!! It is even prettier than before. Hopetown Inn and Marina cleanup is going well and Lighhouse Marina has a 300 Ton crane pulling boats daily so they can start repairs to the buildings. Gas and diesel are available but supplies are not great and the tanks are running on gravity feed so if you are coming, fill up before you get here.

MORE TO COME when I return

And finally THANK YOU For your time, donations and for helping us help the people of the Bahamas!!

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Old news but still GOOD NEWS!!

The go-fund me is up to $467,705 and the average donation is about $190 so that means about 2400 people gave between $5 and $10,000 THAT IS AMAZING!! THANK YOU FROM H4H AND ALL THE BAHAMIANS!! Every dollar counts to help them help themselves!!

Including the Gofund me, we have received direct individual donations and proceeds from the show at the Ryman and the Auction and the Winterfest event to come to a total of just under 1 Million dollars. So far we have spent $100,000 as a partnership with the Marine Industries Association of S Florida (the boatshow and marine industry people) and the Rio Vista Community Church, and others with the help of Ben Sorensen to donate a total of $200,000 to have the fast response ship, the True North spend 2 months in the Abacos organizing, housing and feeding up to 37 volunteers a night. Thank you Julie Berry and Chris Rotella for securing that so early in the process. We have also spend around $40,000 on fuel, generators, school supplies and other emergency items and transportation expenses. We have also received over 1M (rough estimate) in donations of supplies, generators, jet usage, plane usage, boat and yacht usage and even an entire power boat on it's way to the Hope Town Fire Department.

THANK YOU AND YOUR VOLUNTEERS and DONORS FOR THAT AMAZING WORK!!

OUR MISSION STATEMENT IS COMPLETE: Hope4Hopetown is a not for profit group with the sole purpose of helping the Bahamian people help themselves recover to a state that was better than they had before the storm. Our concentration will be on the Abaco Barrier islands from Elbow Cay (Hopetown) north. We plan to leverage our time and resources by working with other similar groups, business owners, home owners and government groups to coordinate a fast rebuild for the least hit areas so tourists can return quickly and plans for the harder hit areas for eventual recovery everywhere else. We will also work with groups and the government to assure Great Abaco priorities are set to allow supplies and people to safely be flown in and shipped in for distribution to the barrier islands.

On Labor day (The day Dorian finally started to move away from the Bahamas) Hope4Hopetown was formed as a joint mission by "Songwriters in Paradise" based in Nashville, TN and a group of Fort Lauderdale citizens with real life relief experience and a passion for the Bahamas.

SPECIAL THANKS YOU ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR TIME, ENERGY, MONEY, SUPPLIES AND ACCESS TO YOUR PLANES, BOATS, VEHICLES AND CONNECTIONS!!

****** FLEETS of yachts leaving most every week for the Abaco Barrier islands so if you know of a boat or yacht going and wants to travel with a group, let us know.

For Donations: https://www.hope4hopetown.com/

To volunteer in the US or Bahamas please email shellytygielski@gmail.com with your name, email address, cell phone, skills list and certifications (if any). Also for volunteers wanting to go to the Abacos, let us know if you can provide your own transportation to the area.

Due to the changing nature of needs and skills and the amazing outpouring of volunteers, we probably cannot use everyone. Thank you so much for your offer of your valuable time.

Boat and Yacht owners who want to go in a group of relief boats Chris Carroll ChrisBCarroll@gmail.com

Donation of airplane time please contact: Ed Strobel Dorian@islandsolarinc.com