We have been humbled by the community’s response to water distributions throughout St. Croix. About 18,000 bottles were distributed to hundreds of people from west to east in the wake of hurricanes Irma and Maria. More than a month after both hurricanes barreled through, most residents are still short on supplies and without basic necessities like power and running water.

Cane Bay Cares distributes water at the Boys and Girls Club in Frederiksted in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Photo Credit: http://nicolecanegata.com/

Cane Bay Cares distributes water at the Boys and Girls Club in Frederiksted in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Photo Credit: http://nicolecanegata.com/

One of the first things we coordinated was a water donation thanks to Jim Terry, who helped us get a lot of it. Water is always in high demand after a major storm, especially on small islands that require all products to be shipped by boat – we knew we couldn’t go wrong. We also initially ordered generators, because power loss after not one, but two, major storms is bound to take some time to restore. We also distributed gas cans, groceries and bleach.

Cane Bay Cares distributes water at the Boys and Girls Club in Frederiksted in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Photo Credit: http://nicolecanegata.com/

Cane Bay Cares distributes water at the Boys and Girls Club in Frederiksted in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Photo Credit: http://nicolecanegata.com/

The water was distributed through organizations that previously received generator donations from Cane Bay Cares – such as the Boys and Girls Club in Frederiksted, the Zion Christian Academy, My Brothers Table and Foundation Ministries. Volunteers within those organizations as well as those working directly with Cane Bay Cares worked tirelessly to distribute the water and other aid on hand.

Cane Bay Cares distributes water at the Boys and Girls Club in Frederiksted in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Photo Credit: http://nicolecanegata.com/

Cane Bay Cares distributes water at the Boys and Girls Club in Frederiksted in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Photo Credit: http://nicolecanegata.com/

Next, we’re excited about shipments of specialty items like solar lights, tarps and mosquito repellent being prepared for general distribution.

We’re doing all we can to get St. Croix the aid it needs to recover and rebuild after this historic double whammy of natural disasters. We hope you can also do all you can and donate today!