This photo is from our first trip to St. Martin. We had just gotten engaged and I’d never been to the Caribbean (or anywhere like it) before.
That building is no longer there.
More importantly, most of the people we met on that island no longer have homes or workplaces. Access to food and water and electricity? I don’t know.
I’ve also been reading about Puerto Rico in the news.
I wonder how much we could help if everyone who had been to the Caribbean or who wants to go someday could just take the amount they’d spend on their first round of drinks at the beachside bar, or their first night in a hotel, and send it to help.
Los Calmos Cafe was our favorite bar on St. Martin. I remember ordering a “small BBC”, some blended chocolate banana alcohol combination that we followed with straight shots of dark vanilla flavored rum. Perfectly paired with the feeling of our feet in the sand and the sight of the crescent moon in the sky. W
We brought our children there years later. For the feet in the sand. Not the rum. We sent money to help St. Martin, and Puerto Rico.
If you want to help hurricane victims, experts are advising that you send money and not goods, and choose a vetted charity.
Here are some recommended by PBS and Consumer Reports.
Hispanic Federation: Well ranked by Charity Navigator and BBB Wise Giving Alliance, Hispanic Federation has set up a fund in collaboration with NYC civic leaders directly targeting Puerto Rico Disaster relief.
Unidos: United For Puerto Rico – a fund established by the first lady of Puerto Rico in collaboration with private companies to directly help hurricane victims.
Direct Relief: Distributes Medicine and Medical Equipment directly to those who need it.
Can’t give money right now? Consider donating blood. The Red Cross is reporting a severe shortage.
My thoughts are with anyone who is impacted directly by the recent hurricanes, or who are worried about loved ones.