- April 29, 2024
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Shane Bonner — the owner of Channel Side, a wedding and event venue in Palm Coast — used to work for the Ginn Development Company on Grand Bahama island. So when Hurricane Dorian, one of the strongest Category 5 storms on record, ripped through the northern Bahamas over the past week, Bonner and some of his friends and former coworkers felt like they needed to help.
Bonner helped collect supplies from around the community to be shipped off to Grand Bahama.
Within 48 hours of the initial announcement, the first drop-off was completed. A 65-foot Viking — loaded with supplies, ranging from first aid to diapers — took off from Jupiter on the morning of Friday, Sept. 6.
"I am at a complete loss for words," Bonner posted on Facebook. "Thank you to everyone that took time out of their schedule and hard earned money out of their pockets to make this happen. Your generous donations are, at this moment, are making a difference to those in dire need."
Bonner said he's trying to coordinate more drop-offs and is still accepting donations.
“Today was just amazing," Bonner said. "This was well above my expectations."
Realty Exchange LLC is collecting much-needed goods and money to aid the Bahamas.
Realty Exchange's Stephen and Julie Sabine have made it a priority to bring supplies and anything needed to sustain as well as help rebuild the area with the help of Chardani Roofing, also of Palm Coast.
“If we do not come together as a community and help the people now, who knows how long it could take for them to get back to some kind of normalcy," Broker Julie Sabine said. "These are our friends that are like family. Although our area was fortunate enough to have not been affected, we must remember those areas that were.”
The Sabine family volunteered to bring the supplies aboard their boat named Salty Tales. They also have assistance from Walter and Alexis Allard and Big Boys Play Toys.
For opportunities on how you can help donate building materials, supplies or labor, contact Stephen Sabine, co-owner of Realty Exchange, at 386-446-0017. There is an immense need for D batteries, plastic moving bins, battery operated fans, tie down rope or similar for tarps and you may view the full list on the attached photo. Drop off all non-building supplies at Realty Exchange's office from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at 300 Palm Coast Parkway NE.
The businesses of St. Joe Plaza and the St. Joe Business Center are reaching out to Flagler County residents to help Hurricane Dorian victims in the Bahamas.
These are items required by the Bahamas' Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
Donations can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Coldwell Banker Premier Properties at 211 St. Joe Plaza
