Post-Irma aid is Carib-bound
Help for the Hurricane Irma-battered Caribbean is on the way to the region — coming through diaspora concerts, relief efforts and governmental commitments.
Over the coming months, I’ll detail initiatives, like these: l Internationally renowned entertainer Lyrikal and fellow soca star Kerwin Dubois are presenting a Queens concert today benefiting the Rotary Club's District 7020, which is operating relief efforts in the Caribbean’s Irma-hit areas.
The Soca for Life Benefit Concert will be held at the Mazi Night Club, 130-35 91st Ave. in Richmond Hill from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. — hosted by popular Caribbean comedian Majah Hype and starring Skinny Fabulous, Mr. Legz, Problem Child, Twists, One Voice, Teddyson John, Ricardo Drue, Lyrikal and Dubois and others. For tickets, visit http://bit.ly/socaforlife.
Lyrikal has also partnered with the West Indian American Day Carnival Association and the Caribbean American Center of New York to collect material and monetary donations (of any amount). For a list of needed items — such as nonperishable food and water — and drop-off locations, call WIADCA at 718) 467-1797 and CACNY at (718) 625-1515. l With French St. Martin’s hurricane victims in mind, the Invest Caribbean Now global private sector agency has set up a GoFundMe page to “help the tens of thousands who have lost everything.”
The fund-raising effort will benefit the global nonprofit Samaritan’s Purse organization — which has been flying plane loads of emergency goods to the French territory in the wake of the deadly storm.
ICN founder Felicia Persaud urged all firms that conduct business in the Caribbean to pitch in and help storm survivors.
To contribute to the Invest Caribbean Now GoFundMe aid for hurricane victims in St. Martin, visit www.gofundme.com/caribbeanhurricanerelieffund. l Calling the Hurricane Irma damage “much worse” than that suffered by the mainland United States, Gov. Cuomo and New York State made commitments to to aid the U.S. territory.
Cuomo — who traveled to the U.S. Virgin Islands last week, met with Brooklynborn USVI Gov. Kenneth Mapp and witnessed the devastation on St. Thomas and St. John firsthand — announced that 100 National Guard troops and 30 State Police officers will be sent to St. Thomas to help with security. Individuals and organizations can contribute to the official USVI recovery effort by visiting www.usvirecovery.org. l Tourism to Antigua can help fuel recovery efforts for storm-battered Barbuda, explained Asot Michael, Antigua and Barbuda's Minister of Tourism, noting that tourists who visit and spend money in damaged-spared Antigua can benefit Barbuda, which was severely hurt by the storm.
Others can donate to charitable organizations by visiting www.abconsulate.nyc. l Anguilla Progressive Association of New York, endorsed by the government of Anguilla, is an official hurricane relief organization for the restoration of Anguilla. To donate and more information, visit www.apanydonate.org. The APANY, which provides educational and social assistance to Anguillans at home and abroad, was started in 1996 in response to the destructive Hurricane Luis. l Health City Cayman Islands hospital eagerly pitched in to the Cayman Islands government's relief effort sending needed upplies, medicines and medical staff to Anguilla, a fellow British Overseas Territory. Using Cayman Airways planes relief supplies, medical and disaster management staff, medicines, water and non-perishable foods have were sent to Anguilla last week.