Kevin O'BryanKevin O'Bryan

Be Inspired, Be Informed, Be Glorious!

Tremayne Brown is all of us… If we try

Hurricane Irma has made a HUGE mess.

The passage of the mega storm through the Caribbean and parts of the southern United States has resulted in billions of dollars in damage and at least 68 people dead.

Jamaica almost recorded a death related to the storm, even though, we didn’t get a direct hit.

Video courtesy of the Ministry of Culture Gender, Entertainment and Sport (CGES)

In recent days the story of how Tremayne Brown, became a hero has continued to blossom, with a new dimension being added with each newspaper headline.

Tremayne jumped into the rushing waters of a gully in Trench Town, Kingston on Friday, September 8, to save the life of 12 year old Renaldo Reynolds, who was being swept away, to certain death.

Within the blink of an eye, Tremayne Brown became the hero we all need in times like these. Someone, who is willing to make a snap decision when it matters most, regardless of the risk to his own person.

His backstory is even more compelling considering that he was deported from the United Kingdom just 6 months prior to his good deed.

Helping Hands

But while our eyes and hearts are filled with mirth because of this story, let’s take a moment to think about our Caribbean sisters and brothers, who have suffered dearly in Irma’s wake.

Irma Damage
An aerial view of roofless structures in Sint Maarten, the Dutch side . (Reuters/Netherlands Ministry of Defence/Handout)

A friend from college who lives in St Martin said she “can’t begin to explain the devastation.”

irma damage
The runway of Princess Juliana International Airport in Sint Maarten. (Reuters/Netherlands Ministry of Defence/Handout)
Irma damage
Damage in St Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. (Photos courtesy of the US Air Force)

How we can help

I’ve taken it upon myself to compile a list of the known causes and initiatives that have been organised, so far to provide assistance to the Caribbean nations affected.

Scotia Bank 

Scotia Bank has already donated $65 million dollars to help victims across the region and will be accepting additional donations.

The Bank said donations to the Hurricane Irma relief fund can be made to chequing A/C # 803653 at the Scotiabank Centre. Donations can be made online or at any Scotiabank branch.

Salvation Army

Those who wish to assist the organisation may direct your contributions to The Salvation Army, 3 Waterloo Road, PO Box 378, Kingston 10, Jamaica, WI – Attention: Emergency Disaster Services or direct the funds to the following:

Name Of Account: The Salvation Army Donation Account (Savings)

Account Number: 936476

Bank Name: The Bank of Nova Scotia Jamaica Ltd

Bank Address: The Corner of Duke & Port Royal Street, Kingston CSO

United Way of Jamaica  

The United Way of Jamaica has launched the Caribbean Disaster Relief Fund. Donations can be made to the following accounts:

Sagicor Bank – Dominica Drive A/C #5501371949

Victoria Mutual Building Society – Duke Street A/C#22772867

National Commercial Bank – Duke Street A/C #061048596

CIBC First Caribbean International Bank – A/C #119201017

Checks may be sent to the United Way of Jamaica, 122-126 Tower Street, Kingston

You can also donate directly to the United Way of Jamaica website www.unitedwayofjamaica.org where paypal and credit card donations are accepted.

 

United Way (Worldwide)

Various United Way organisations across the Caribbean have also launched programmes to aid victims. Learn more here .

 

Rotary District 7020  

Rotary district 7020 has launched its Hurricane Irma Recovery Fund to support the affected islands, many of which are also part of the district.

To contribute please wire funds to:

Name of Account:  Disaster Network of Assistance – Rotarian Action Group, Inc. dba “DNA-RAG”

Account #: 12 1682 8928

Swift Code: PNCCUS33

Physical address of Bank:  PNC Bank, 9033 Glades Rd, Boca Raton, FL  33433

Contact: PDG Phil Lustig, Vice Chair, Tel: 1 561 212 6554   Email: phil.lustig3@gmail.com

Ensure payee instructions entered for: “District 7020 Hurricane Irma Fund”

 ISupport Jamaica

An Irma Relief project has been launched on local crowd funding site – Isupport Jamaica, with a goal of raising 100,000 USD.

It’s my hope that we all can make a difference, in our own small way.

We all can be a hero and help to mend everything that has been broken, in the lives of so many people across the Caribbean.

Tremayne Brown’s heroism can become a groundswell for all of us in this time of such great disaster. Be a Hero!

Be inspired, Be informed, Be Glorious!


Kevin

Would love to hear from you so feel free to contact me here.