Thanks to donations from Montgomery County residents, Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles and Maryland Del. Jheanelle Wilkins collected enough goods to fill two Amazon trucks with supplies to help the victims of Hurricane Melissa.
Both lawmakers have roots in Jamaica and wanted to partner with the Embassy of Jamaica to provide aid. Both of Councilmember Sayles’ parents were born in Jamaica. Her mother spends part of the year in Georgia but primarily resides in Falmouth, Jamaica. Sayles visits her family there every year.
“We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support,” Sayles said Friday. “I am just so incredibly grateful,” she said, adding that first aid items, cleaning supplies and other supplies are still needed.
Jamaicans represent one of the largest Caribbean immigrant communities in this region. Tens of thousands of Jamaicans call Montgomery County home, noted Sayles and Wilkins in a joint statement.
Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on Oct. 28, causing more than $8 billion in damage, according to the United Nations.
For more information on how to donate to Jamaican hurricane relief efforts, visit: supportjamaica.gov.jm.
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