Tag: Hurricane Dorian

Sands family to lead rebuilding in hurricane-destroyed Bahamas

A new, Rochester-based nonprofit has been founded to help the Bahamian island of Elbow Cay rebuild following the devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian this summer.

The new nonprofit will gift $500,000 toward the rebuilding of the Hope Town Primary School and Hope Town’s Medical Clinic on Elbow Cay, officials said this week. Hurricane Dorian devastated the island with 200 mph winds. (Photo provided)
The new nonprofit will gift $500,000 toward the rebuilding of the Hope Town Primary School and Hope Town’s Medical Clinic on Elbow Cay, officials said this week. Hurricane Dorian devastated the island with 200 mph winds. (Photo provided)

Hope Town United is a community-led organization founded by Matt Winslow and his wife, Courtney Sands Winslow. Constellation Brands Executive Vice Chairman Richard Sands, and Courtney Winslow’s father, is a member of the strategic advisory committee of HTU.

The new nonprofit will gift $500,000 toward the rebuilding of the Hope Town Primary School and Hope Town’s Medical Clinic on Elbow Cay, officials said this week. Hurricane Dorian devastated the island with 200 mph winds. Following the storm, Matt Winslow organized the evacuation of some 250 residents from the island.

“Recovery after Hurricane Dorian will not be easy, but we are energized and ready to lead the effort to rebuild a more environmentally sustainable and resilient Hope Town,” he said in a statement. “Working with community leaders and partner organizations, we are bringing infrastructure and innovation to the island. We have an opportunity and an obligation to make Elbow Cay a global model for how to rebuild with an eye toward resiliency and environmentally sustainable design.”

The school will receive $500,000 and all of the steel necessary to rebuild, thanks to the Jones family, owners of Nova Steel Inc. Prior to the hurricane, the Hope Town Primary School provided schooling for 70 preschool to fifth-grade students on Elbow Cay. HTU has received approval from the Minister of Education to lead the rebuilding project.

“Schools are the heart of every community, a place where ideas and opportunity take flight,” Scott Jones said. “That’s why we’re so pleased to do our part to help bring the Hope Town community back to life. We’ve made it a family priority, and Nova Steel is making it a company priority, to make sure we rebuild Hope Town stronger and better than ever.”

The clinic will be rebuilt and fully funded by Hope Town Rising’s Mark Bailey Sr. and Flagler Health+. As a sister hospital, Flagler Health+ will provide ongoing support for the clinic, said Jason Barrett, CEO of Flagler Health+

“Recovery after Hurricane Dorian will not be easy, but we are energized and ready to lead the effort to rebuild a more environmentally-sustainable and resilient Hope Town,” HTU Chairman Matt Winslow said in a statement. “Working with community leaders and partner organizations, we are bringing infrastructure and innovation to the island. We have an opportunity and an obligation to make Elbow Cay a global model for how to rebuild with an eye toward resiliency and environmentally sustainable design.” (Photo provided)
“Recovery after Hurricane Dorian will not be easy, but we are energized and ready to lead the effort to rebuild a more environmentally-sustainable and resilient Hope Town,” HTU Chairman Matt Winslow said in a statement. “Working with community leaders and partner organizations, we are bringing infrastructure and innovation to the island. We have an opportunity and an obligation to make Elbow Cay a global model for how to rebuild with an eye toward resiliency and environmentally sustainable design.” (Photo provided)

“This joint venture is a commitment to the Abaco Islands and to the people that we have come to love,” Bailey said. “The euphoria of potential recovery can be fragile, and we believe that Hope Town and the surrounding cays will recover at a more rapid pace, and with positivity, assuming quality medical care can be delivered. With the clinic up and running, we look forward to a strong and vibrant community returning.”

HTU will serve as the economic engine leading the restoration efforts. HTU’s focus is to restore the historic public structures, small businesses and residential homes while also engaging global engineering experts to design and construct resilient and environmentally sustainable island infrastructure.

HTU plans to launch a strategic plan that focuses on an international fundraising campaign to support near-term recovery needs, as well as the creation of innovative, blended finance structures and impact investment vehicles for the construction of modernized infrastructure.

[email protected] / 585-653-4021
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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