Florida groups partner to provide aid to devastated Bahamas

Several Florida-based businesses have partnered to raise money to purchase and deliver vital recovery supplies and building materials to their neighbors in the Bahamas whose lives, homes and communities have been devastated by Hurricane Dorian.

The multi-group initiative is led by several Jacksonville Beach, Fla.-based groups: 3PHASE Business Advisors,1-800-BOARDUP Disaster Victim Assistance, Pivot CPAs, Holmes Custom, and Savvy Outsourcing. Their mission is to provide the right disaster recovery supplies to victims in need, in hard-to-reach places, as fast as possible, with no corporate overhead expenses.

In an announcement, Michael Hosto of 3PHASE Business Advisors said the group has worked to provide disaster relief in the past and has figured out an effective way to provide desperately needed aid and resources to inflicted communities.

“In the past, we have gathered disaster recovery supplies from generous donors and physically delivered them directly to the disaster zone. In this process, we would end up with a truckload of random, miscellaneous items,” Hosto explained.

“Most items were valuable, but we also had items like Lysol and mouse traps that people thought would be helpful. These miscellaneous items were packed and shipped in random grocery bags and boxes, then spread out at the disaster zone for people to rummage through. It was not the most effective way to serve those in need. Our plan for this storm is different. It’s much smarter.”

The plan is to raise the funds needed to buy the most in-demand and vital materials and resources, and hand-deliver the items to affected Bahama communities.

All funds received and spent will be carefully reviewed by Pivot CPAs in Jacksonville. Pivot will provide a post-event financial report of all donations received, all items purchased and delivered to the port for distribution to assure all donors that their contributions were managed effectively.

To donate, please visit their GoFundMe page.

Elsewhere around Florida

Other Florida-based insurance agencies are taking action, as well. Several Brightway Insurance Agencies in Florida are collecting donations to provide relief to Dorian victims in the Bahamas. Below is a list of participating offices with details on how to help:

Brevard County

Brightway, The Steve Trout Agency with locations in Rockledge and Indian Harbour Beach is collecting supplies to send to The Bahamas. The Rockledge office is located at 1899 Murrell Road in Suite 136, while the Indian Harbour Beach location is at 729 Pine Tree Drive.

Broward County

Brightway, The McGregor Agency in Deerfield Beach is accepting donations at its office at 2745 W. Hillsboro Boulevard in Suite 6. Additionally, the agency is collecting pet food and pet supplies.

Palm Beach County

Brightway, The Hite Agency with locations in Boynton Beach and Lake Worth has created an Amazon list where you can buy products that are needed and have them shipped to the Boynton Beach location. Items also may be dropped off at both locations and will be shipped in a container directly to The Bahamas. The Boynton Beach location is at 12361 Hagen Ranch Road in Suite 501, and the Lake Worth location is at 6616 Hypoluxo Road. Brightway, The Murphy Agency in Palm Beach Gardens is accepting donations at its office at 4550 Donald Ross Road in Suite I-110.

Polk County

Brightway, The Charlene Rodriguez Agency in Lakeland is accepting supplies at its location at 2152 E County Road 540A through Friday, Sept. 6. Locals in the area also may drop off supplies at Sky Powersports of Lakeland at 1638 Kathleen Road.

Related:

• ‘Unprecedented’ damage: Bahamas reel from impact of Hurricane Dorian
• Hurricane Dorian, fires to cause double-digit insurance rate hikes
• Hurricane Dorian: How state insurance departments prepared