Governor Ron DeSantis Highlights More Than $11 Million in Donations and Announces 590,000 Bottles of Water to be Sent to the Bahamas
Governor Ron DeSantis highlighted more than $11 million in private donations from corporations and individuals to assist the people of the Bahamas. Additionally, the Governor announced that the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) and Florida Power and Light (FPL) are collectively donating 590,000 bottles of water to the Bahamas for Hurricane Dorian relief. Individually, FDEM is contributing 10 truckloads, (311,000 bottles) along with FPL's generous donation of 9 truckloads (279,000 bottles). These bottles of water are being shipped to Florida ports, from which they will be transported to the Bahamas.
"Just over a week ago, Hurricane Dorian barreled towards our coast and the state of Florida prepared for the worst," said Governor DeSantis. “Although Florida was lucky, we know that our neighbors in the Bahamas bore the brunt of this storm. Today, I’m proud to announce our state is partnering with FPL to extend a hand to those in need in the Bahamas with 590,000 bottles of water. Thanks to the generous contributions of Floridians and corporate partners, we’re also proud to highlight more than $11 million in donations to assist in recovery efforts.”
“The private and state donations and relief efforts pledged today for our Bahamian brothers and sisters exemplifies how together we can assist those in need,” said Lt. Governor Jeanette Nuñez. “Bahamians are a resilient people, and the State of Florida will stand in solidarity with them as they rebuild and recover from the devastation of hurricane Dorian.”
“Hurricane Dorian was a devastating storm that sat on our doorstep for 40 hours and by some miracle, took a 90 degree turn north. What happened in the Bahamas could have easily been us,” said FDEM Director Jared Moskowitz. “Clean water will be one of the most important commodities for a community recovering from a disaster of this magnitude and I’m proud that today the Division is helping to provide hundreds of thousands of bottles of water for those who are suffering. We look forward to continuing to work in conjunction with our private-sector partners on ways to provide charitable donations to the Bahamas.”
“I want to thank Governor DeSantis who has been instrumental in rallying private sector assistance to the Bahamas,” said Ambassador John Rood. “There’s no doubt our neighbors in the Bahamas need our help and these donations will have a significant benefit to those who were most impacted by hurricane Dorian. Moving forward, we will be working to establish transitional housing with funds from Florida based individuals and companies. For those Bahamians that wish to stay in their communities, these funds will help with their rebuilding efforts.”
Corporate and individual donations to the Bahamas include:
- Delta Airlines has donated $250,000 in addition to their $1 million grant as an Annual Disaster Giving Program partner.
- Tropical Shipping, in partnership with Carnival Corporation and in coordination with the Bahamas National Emergency Management Agency, is providing the logistics necessary to transport humanitarian assistance to those in need in the Bahamas.
- TECO is providing more than 250 team members, equipment and humanitarian supplies to assist with power restoration efforts.
- The Florida Beverage Association has secured 50,000 cans of water in coordination with Miller-Coors.
- Verizon customers received unlimited calling and texting data from the U.S. to the Bahamas from September 2 to September 9. Verizon also donated a $100,000 grant to the Miami-Dade United Way.
- Sprint offered all customers in the U.S. free calls to the Bahamas and waive roaming fees for customers in the Bahamas from September 2 to September 9.
- Publix Supermarket Charities has made a $250,000 donation to help fund relief efforts. Publix has also launched a fundraising campaign and in the first five days of their campaign, Publix associates and customers have donated more than $1 million.
- Lennar Corporation, a Miami-based home builder, has committed $1 million and has developed an associate matching program dollar-for-dollar for a total of up to $2 million.
- Speaker Jose Oliva will be writing a check for $100,000 from the Republican House Caucus PAC for relief efforts in the Bahamas.
- Senate President Bill Galvano has connected with Anheuser-Busch who will be donating over 20,000 cans of water, with more on the way.
- Representative Randy Fine also helped collect over 100,000 pounds of supplies that were sent from Melbourne to the Bahamas.
Updated: Wednesday, September 11, 2019
