The Tribune

The scene at the Furniture Plus warehouse on Monday night with HeadKnowles volunteers getting ready to pack up supplies to go to the islands on Tuesday.

“THE Furniture Plus warehouse was empty last night, and look at it now. It’s filled to capacity for tomorrow for thousands of pounds of supplies to be flown out to those in such dire need.”

The founders of the HeadKnowles Foundation, Lia Head Rigby and Gina Knowles, expressed their delight last night at the public response to the first day of the national fundraising programme SOS - Save Our South initiated by the Tribune Media Group yesterday in the aftermath of Hurricane Joaquin.

The goal of the programme, launched in The Tribune and on the group’s radio stations 100JAMZ, KISSfm, JOYfm and Y98f, is to provide a national, unifying platform so that every entity, charity or civic group can share their efforts openly and transparently as well as appeal directly for support from the Bahamian public.

It aims to raise $500,000 for food and other essential supplies.

“It gives me a great deal of faith in our country, that no matter our colour, creed or religion, Bahamians can come together - and make tremendous differences in our country - if we want,” Robert Carron, the president of the Tribune Media Group, said on the Ed Fields Live talk show yesterday.

“On behalf of all civic organisations, we would like to extend a special thanks to Deputy Prime Minister Brave Davis, Tall Pines MP Leslie Miller, Bahamasair executives, its pilots and all those who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to make these critical deliveries possible for HeadKnowles and other civic groups,” Mr Carron said.

“Being able to transport upwards of 40,000 pounds of supplies to the ravaged communites of San Salvador and Rum Cay in a single day is a game changer. God willing, we are planning to send a large cargo plane to Crooked Island and Acklins on Wednesday and take some doctors if possible.”

Ms Rigby and Ms Knowles said they have been “overwhelmed” by the response to HeadKnowles’ efforts since the hurricane. “On behalf of those who are in such need of our help, its humbling that our fellow Bahamians would give us such trust in our mission. Our people will get the job done, no matter how long it takes or how much we need to put in.

“We have dozens of pallets in the Furniture Plus trucks ready to go to the airport to be air freighted, which will make room for all the supplies that are still needed. While we have already shipped out about four to five 40ft containers worth of supplies, sent on barges to South Long Island, we filled the warehouse in the first days and have received funds totalling about $30k. These will be spent on additional supplies.”

Krystyna Lee D’Arville, Director of HeadKnowles, thanked the volunteers and all those who have helped. “We will be acknowledging everyone,” she said. “I must say how thankful we are for SuperValue, Island Cellular, New Oriental Cleaners, Bahamas Food Service, Bahamas Wholesale Agencies, Marlin Marine, our team at Furniture Plus and a host of my fellow Bahamians who have provided such an outpouring of love and donations.”

Troy D’Arville, President of Furniture Plus, described the “spirit, dedication and support of our team and volunteers” as “amazing”. “We have staff and volunteers going out of their way to bring goods from the locations. We’d like to thank KFC, Dunkin Donuts, Dairy Queen for providing the food and nourishment to keep the volunteers fully fuelled,” he said.

The HeadKnowles executives pointed out the dropoff locations for donations of relief supplies are New Oriental Cleaners, Island Cellular or Radio House on Shirley Street and that cheques should be made payable to HeadKnowles Foundation. Donations particularly welcome are tents, tarpaulins, portable generators, food trucks and tables.