Parishes throughout the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida are giving thanks for God’s grace and sending supplies to the Bahamas in planeloads!​​ Financial donations sent to the Diocese were and will continue to be sent to The Rt. Rev. Laish Boyd, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of The Bahamas and The Turks & Caicos Islands, and will be used for Hurricane Dorian emergency response (e.g. medical supplies, shelter and food). As of Friday, September 13, the Diocese has received a combined total of financial donations in the amount of $85,460, with more coming in each day.

Members of Scout Troops 323, 4323 and Cub Scout Pack 322 at Holy Trinity, Melbourne, pose with their parents, troop leaders, Holy Trinity Co-Rectors Steve and Pam Easterday in front of their bounty.  PHOTO: Scout Troop 4323

In three days BSA Troop 4323 and 323 and Cub Scout Pack 322 at Holy Trinity, Melbourne, gathered 100,000 pounds of supplies that filled 12 planes bound for the Bahamas. They received permission from the Bahamian government to bring in the supplies. “One of our troop mothers made a direct call to the prime minister’s office to get an idea of what they need,” said Bart LaGrone of Scout Troop 4323. “We started this effort Friday, and it took (State) Rep. (Randy) Fine and some other folks to put out requests for donations. We sorted all the items, so the most critical things get to the island first. That’s mostly medical supplies, water and food.” 

Victoria Hagen, a member of Mrs. Novak’s Kindergarten class at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy Lower School places her donation in one of the many collection jars around both campuses. PHOTO: Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy

Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy in Melbourne held a schoolwide fundraiser for Bahamas relief Sept. 9-13. It collected cash or checks throughout the week at both campuses, which culminated in an out-of-uniform day for students on Friday, Sept. 13. All funds raised will be given to the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida to be wired directly to the Anglican Diocese of the Bahamas. They did not collect supplies. Students who participated in the out-of-uniform day brought a donation of any amount on Friday. Lower school students who desired to, coordinated their out-of-uniform attire with International Dot Day and wore polka dots. There were collection jars throughout both campuses. The school will match all funds raised.

Deacon John Clark of St. Gabriel’s, Titusville, and No One Hungry, and Eddie Rodriguez of Harvest of Hope Ministries prepare to load cases of MREs into the No One Hungry van. PHOTO: Provided by St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church.

St. Gabriel’s, Titusville, sent 16,000 meals in MREs (meals ready to eat) and rice and lentils to the Bahamas in a joint mission with Harvest of Hope Ministries and Air Mobile Ministries. Deacon John Clark continues to help the survivors in the Bahamas. “I’m working with Tom Oyler at the Old Fish House Bar and Grill in Grant. We’re getting him pallets of food to take to the 360 survivors on Grand Cay. Oyler has made several trips to the Bahamas already and plans to make several more.​”