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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/long-island-bahamas-buzz-feature-4.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-7668" /><figcaption>'Stay strong': A message with love from Long Island to north Bahamas (Photo: Facebook, @CapeSantaMariaBeachResort)</figcaption></figure>
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<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>"We’re given an opportunity in life to help one another...the degree to which we help is how we measure ourselves,"</p><cite> — Matt Brear, General Manager for Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort in Long Island, The Bahamas.</cite></blockquote>
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<p>Having surpassed its crowdfunding target four times, citizens of Long Island in southern Bahamas are launching their own massive relief effort for their brothers and sisters affected by Hurricane Dorian.</p>
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<p>Matt Brear, General Manager at Cape Santa Maria resort in Long Island, told <strong>BUZZ</strong> that the residents, though only 500 strong, saw the devastation Hurricane Dorian caused for fellow Bahamians in the north, and sprang into action almost immediately.</p>
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<h2>The relief effort so far...</h2>
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<p>So far, several tons of supplies have been delivered, including tarps, generators, solar-powered lights, bottled water, canned food and other non-perishables, extension cords, chainsaws, mosquito nets and repellents, toilet paper, as well as other miscellaneous goods.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/long-island-bahamas-buzz-feature-2-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-7670" /><figcaption>Water, alternate power among the much-needed essentials being shipped to northern Bahamas by Long Island residents  (Photo: Facebook, @CapeSantaMariaBeachResort) </figcaption></figure>
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<p>Brear, in an interview with <strong>BUZZ</strong> on Friday, said that their efforts to help the devastated islands hardest hit by the category 5 hurricane was inspired by Long Islanders remembering the kindness they received in 2015 after being hit by Hurricane Joaquin.</p>
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<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>"Long Islanders should be very proud of what they have managed to accomplish and I’m just a very small part in that."</p><cite> — Matt Brear, speaking to BUZZ via telephone</cite></blockquote>
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<p>“When we heard of the catastrophe in the northern Bahamas, the first thought in this community was, ‘What can we do to help?’. We mobilised immediately, before the end of [Monday] while the hurricane was still raging through Grand Bahama and Abaco,” Brear asserted.</p>
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<h2>'You helped us then, let us help you now'</h2>
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<p>Brear recalled that in 2015, Long Island was hit by Hurricane
Joaquin, and it devastated the land, so its residents know firsthand about
hurricanes and the struggles of recovery. </p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/long-island-bahamas-buzz-feature-8-1024x702.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-7669" /><figcaption>The damage wreaked by Hurricane Joaquin in 2015 is something Long Islanders will never forget (Photo: SouthernBoating.com) </figcaption></figure>
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<p>“The Bahamian people are so community-minded, and we
received cargo supplies on land and by air, love, prayers and support from
Abaco and Grand Bahama. That helped us in what was a very dark time for Long
Island. There was a silver lining and that was the support we received. Our hearts
go out to our brothers and sisters in the north,”</p>
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<p>After being hit by Hurricane Joaquin, Long Islanders vowed to be better equipped for the dangerous storms and launched their own hurricane preparedness kit, which is stored and maintained to this day.</p>
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<p>“Truly, it was the entire community. We started putting our
hurricane kit on the tarmac of the Deadman’s Cay airport – preparing it to be
shipped out from our island to help our brothers and sisters,”</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/long-island-bahamas-buzz-feature-3.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-7671" /><figcaption>Long Islanders springing into action to help their brothers and sisters affected by monster Hurricane Dorian, which slammed into the northern section of The Bahamas on Sunday  (Photo: Facebook, @CapeSantaMariaBeachResort) </figcaption></figure>
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<p>“In addition to that we created a GoFundMe page and the initial goal as US$2,000 and that was [only] for the gas – to get our hurricane kit to Abaco – and we met that goal in minutes,” Brear told <strong>BUZZ</strong>.</p>
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<h2>Overwhelming support in spite of the tragedy</h2>
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<p>The outpouring of support in cash and kind from across The
Bahamas and the wider world sowed the seeds of hope within Long Islanders that
they could do even more to help their fellow Bahamians affected by Hurricane
Dorian.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/long-island-bahamas-buzz-feature-7.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-7672" /><figcaption>The relief effort is well underway in Long Island  (Photo: Facebook, @CapeSantaMariaBeachResort) </figcaption></figure>
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<p>“We decided then to increase the goal and increase our efforts. Now, we really can’t keep up with the extraordinary donations, love and support we have received,” he added.</p>
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<p>The GoFundMe, launched by Emma McGrath, has since swelled
past its fourth and final target of US$24,850. As of Friday, September 6, the
campaign has received over $31,000 in donations!</p>
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<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>"When we heard of the catastrophe in the northern Bahamas, the first thought was, ‘What can we do to help?’."</p><cite> — Matt Brear and the collective residents of Long Island, before sprining into action.</cite></blockquote>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/long-island-bahamas-buzz-feature-1-1024x487.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-7673" /><figcaption>The Long Island relief fund for northern Bahamas met and surpassed its target four times! Well done!! (Photo: GoFundMe.com)</figcaption></figure>
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<p>All proceeds going to the relief effort for the battered islands
in northern Bahamas, the most densely populated area of the Caribbean country.</p>
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<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>"To be part of this extraordinary mobilsation of love and support has been one of the greatest pleasures of my life."</p><cite> — Truer words need not be spoken. Well done, Long Island!</cite></blockquote>
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<h2>'Every dollar donated goes to those affected'</h2>
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<p>In an effort to maintain transparency, all aspects of the Long Island’s relief campaign are being detailed, with receipts and other notes being made available for review. <strong>See the gallery below:</strong></p>
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<ul class="wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped"><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/long-island-bahamas-buzz-feature-9.jpg" alt="" data-id="7680" data-link="https://buzz-caribbean.com/?attachment_id=7680" class="wp-image-7680" /></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/long-island-bahamas-buzz-feature-10.jpg" alt="" data-id="7679" data-link="https://buzz-caribbean.com/?attachment_id=7679" class="wp-image-7679" /></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/long-island-bahamas-buzz-feature-11.jpg" alt="" data-id="7678" data-link="https://buzz-caribbean.com/?attachment_id=7678" class="wp-image-7678" /></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/long-island-bahamas-buzz-feature-12.jpg" alt="" data-id="7677" data-link="https://buzz-caribbean.com/?attachment_id=7677" class="wp-image-7677" /></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/long-island-bahamas-buzz-feature-13.jpg" alt="" data-id="7676" data-link="https://buzz-caribbean.com/?attachment_id=7676" class="wp-image-7676" /></figure></li><li class="blocks-gallery-item"><figure><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/long-island-bahamas-buzz-feature-14.jpg" alt="" data-id="7675" data-link="https://buzz-caribbean.com/?attachment_id=7675" class="wp-image-7675" /></figure></li></ul>
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<p>“Everything that has been purchased and everything that has been accomplished throughout every step of the way is clearly labelled and detailed on the GoFundMe page,” <strong>BUZZ</strong> was told, with Brear adding that more information can be found on the Cape Santa resort’s website.</p>
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<p>Brear, who is originally from Vancouver, Canada, has called
The Bahamas his home for the last four years. </p>
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<p>“To be part of this extraordinary mobilsation of love and support has been one of the greatest pleasures of my life. In the face of this absolute catastrophic conditions, to see these wonderful Bahamians all, in their way, come together is amazing,” Brear told <strong>BUZZ</strong>.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/long-island-bahamas-buzz-feature-5.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-7682" /><figcaption>Dozens are tarpaulins being loaded onto a plane for delivery to needy Bahamians affected by Hurricane Dorian. Residents in Long Island, located in the south of the country, are leading the relief effort  (Photo: Facebook, @CapeSantaMariaBeachResort) </figcaption></figure>
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<p> “Hurricanes are horrific, and this is one of the most horrific and anything we could do to assist we have done. We’re given an opportunity in life to help one another and the degree to which we help each other is how we measure ourselves,” he added.</p>
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<h2>Relief efforts to continue well into Septmber</h2>
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<p>Brear further explained that the GoFundMe campaign will be closed on Monday, but assured that the efforts from Long Islanders will continue for some time.</p>
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<p>“I know that Long Islanders should be very proud of what they have managed to accomplish and I’m just a very small part in that,” Brear told <strong>BUZZ</strong> on Friday.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://buzz-caribbean.com/app/uploads/2019/09/long-island-bahamas-buzz-feature-6.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-7684" /><figcaption>'Hold on, help is on the way!'  (Photo: Facebook, @CapeSantaMariaBeachResort) </figcaption></figure>
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<p>Hurricane Dorian slammed into northern sections of The Bahamas on Sunday – leaving widespread destruction, grief and sadness as the system delivered unrelenting, 185mph winds, as well as storm surges for hours.</p>
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<p>Interested parties can still make donations to the Long Island relief campaign by following the link to the <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/longislanders-bahamas-pay-it-forwarddorian?pc=fb_dn_postdonate_r&amp;rcid=r01-15674341236-4527df5155fb45bb&amp;utm_source=facebook&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=fb_dn_postdonate_r&amp;fbclid=IwAR0aK69Vc6BbsSJ5XYJAZlNkpXdydHtz0GFZVtnHpcR6Jv9B_opae4ekfoU">GoFundMe here</a>.</p>
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