Tag: Bahamas

Sands Foundation gifts $500,000 toward Bahamas cleanup

The Sands Family Foundation has set a high bar this Giving Tuesday. The foundation has gifted $500,000 to Hope Town United, a Rochester nonprofit whose mission is to help rebuild the Bahamian island of Elbow Cay following the devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian this summer.

“To kick off this Giving Tuesday, the Sands Family Foundation is challenging everyone to join us in helping to restore the Hope Town community that was devastated by Hurricane Dorian,” said Matt Winslow, Hope Town United chairman. “Climate change means superstorms like Dorian will be more frequent and powerful, which is why we’re building a global model for disaster recovery and restoration with a focus on autonomy, resiliency and environmental sustainability.”

The Sands Family Foundation also is offering a matching gift of up to $100,000 for all donations made during the holiday season to immediately help with debris removal and cleanup.

Hurricane Dorian devastated the island with 200 mph winds; some 70 percent of the island community’s homes and businesses were damaged. Following the storm, Winslow organized the evacuation of 250 residents from the island.

The community-led Hope Town United was started by Winslow and his wife, Courtney Sands Winslow. Her father, Richard Sands, serves as executive vice chairman of Constellation Brands and as a member of the strategic advisory committee of HTU.

HTU has become the economic engine leading the restoration of Elbow Cay. HTU’s focus is raising money to restore historic public buildings, small businesses and homes, while also engaging global engineering experts to design innovative solutions for island utilities. The organization’s strategic plan starts with rebuilding the primary school, restoring the island’s badly damaged medical clinic and leading the development of a modern, environmentally sustainable utility infrastructure with a focus on renewable energy generation.

HTU last month secured $500,000 to fund the primary school and medical clinic. The nonprofit is working with global financial experts to develop innovative, blended finance structures and impact investment vehicles for the construction of the utility infrastructure and the reconstruction of locally owned businesses and residential homes.

[email protected] / 585-653-4021
Follow Velvet Spicer on Twitter: @Velvet_Spicer

Businesses, non-profits collect supplies for Bahamas hurricane relief

Schools, banks, health systems, car dealerships and a beverage giant are all accepting donations for hurricane relief being coordinated by InterVol, the non-profit humanitarian agency based in Rochester.

InterVol is working with the Rochester Regional Health, the Sands Family and Constellation Brands to collect and deliver supplies to the Bahamas, which have been devastated by Hurricane Dorian.  Collections are being taken through Sept. 20.

Requested items — all new or unopened — include soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, diapers, toilet paper, towels, sheets, and blankets. Also, heavy-duty plastic sheeting and waterproof tarps are also needed for temporary shelters.

Volunteers regularly sort medical supplies at InterVol for shipment to needy places abroad. Photo supplied by InterVol.
Volunteers regularly sort medical supplies at InterVol for shipment to needy places abroad. Photo supplied by InterVol.

The agency notes that donations of clothing and shoes are not being sought. People may also volunteer to help sort supplies or learn more by visiting InterVol’s website.

Donations are being accepted at any of these locations during regular business hours:

  • Bishop Kearney High School, 125 Kings Highway South.
  • Constellation Brands offices at 235 North Bloomfield Road, Canandaigua, and 207 Highpoint Drive, Victor.
  • Family First Federal Credit Union branches: 375 Fairport Road, East Rochester; 1110 Long Pond Road, Greece; 1225 Jefferson Road, Henrietta; 2520 Browncroft Boulevard, Penfield; 850 Ridge Road, Webster.
  • Finger Lakes Community College Student Life Center, 3324 Marvin Sands Drive, Canandaigua
  • LeChase Construction, 205 Indigo Creek Drive, Greece
  • Our Lady of Mercy School, 1437 Blossom Road, Brighton,
  • Rochester General Hospital, 1425 Portland Ave.
  • Rochester Regional Health, Riedman Campus, 100 Kings Highway South.
  • John Fisher College, Office of Safety and Security, 3690 East Avenue, Pittsford
  • Unity Hospital, 1555 Long Pond Road, Greece.
  • Van Bortel Chevy, 1338 Pittsford-Palmyra Road, Macedon
  • Van Bortel Ford, 71 Marsh Road, East Rochester
  • Van Bortel Subaru, 6327 State Route 96, Victor, and 4211 W. Henrietta Road, Henrietta.
  • WHAM 13, 4225 West Henrietta Road, Henrietta.

[email protected]/ (585) 363-7275