BY RYAN MERARD
On September 1, Hurricane Dorian made its catastrophic mark on the Bahamas. With winds reaching up to 180 mph at one point and the storm traveling at just 1 mph, Dorian stalled over the Bahamian islands and pummeled them for hours, causing major destruction of homes and buildings. Recovery from this damage would cost billions of dollars and require plenty of relief from areas and organizations willing to help.
Shortly after Hurricane Dorian hit the Bahamas, countless organizations created relief programs to support the affected Bahamians and to obtain necessary items, such as water and medicine kits. CCHS decided to join in and start the Bahamas Relief Drive to help deliver some of the much-needed products to the islands after the tragedy their inhabitants just endured.
The school-wide project involves multiple clubs such as Latinos In Action (LIA), Helping Overcome Problems Effectively (HOPE) Sunshine Club, Key Club and Multicultural Club. Members from these clubs have volunteered to assist with the process of collecting and organizing goods for the affected Bahamians.
“It always feels good to make those extra efforts to help others, especially those in need.”
For example, volunteers from HOPE have been aiding with the Bahamas Relief Drive during mornings. They place all of the collected items on a flatbed and push it to the cafeteria. Then, throughout their study halls, volunteers come down to help sort all of the items, making them easier to transport at the end of the drive.
“[Participating in the relief drive] is honestly one of the best feelings in the world,” Secretary of HOPE Sunshine Club Matthew Milotakis said. “HOPE Club is all about helping others with issues even if that’s ourselves. To be able to go have an impact on people in multiple ways and being able to help other [countries] and those in need is a dream come true to me.”
Some teachers have also taken time out of their days to lend a hand with either bringing in or dropping off items in the cafeteria.
“It always feels good to make those extra efforts to help others, especially those in need,” English teacher and LIA Sponsor Briana Bullard said. “[Hurricane Dorian] could’ve easily happened to us south Floridians, so we should help those who actually went through this tragedy.”
“We have to do our part and give some of the resources that we are lucky enough to still have.”
Some of the items being collected are nonperishable goods, water and sunscreen, as well as hygiene and first aid kits. However, no glass items or clothing are being accepted.
Permitted items can be donated until September 20 and can be dropped off in the cafeteria or the car line.
“We should all be thankful that the storm did not follow the original path that was projected because what the Bahamas went through could have happened to us or to Floridians more north,” junior Lukas Jackson said. “We have to do our part and give some of the resources that we are lucky enough to still have to those that [were affected] by the hurricane.”
Photo by Anabella Garcia
