In the wake of Hurricane Melissa — a devastating Category 5 storm that tore through Jamaica with 250 mph gusts and 185 mph sustained winds — Nassau County Legislator Carrié Solages joined community leaders, and members of the True Tribute Organization to launch an urgent supply and fundraising campaign for families impacted by the storm.
The campaign kicked off at Nolan’s Cuisine, a popular Jamaican restaurant in Elmont, which will serve as one of several donation drop-off sites for relief supplies headed to the Caribbean.
“The storm was strong — but the people of the Caribbean are even stronger,” Solages said. “We as Americans have roots all throughout the world, and we have to give water to those roots so that they bear good fruit. When Haiti was in need, Jamaica was there — no matter who it is, we’re all in this together and we’re going to do everything we can to encourage aid.”
Solages, who represents Nassau County’s 3rd Legislative District, noted that his community includes a large Jamaican and Caribbean population, many of whom have been unable to reach loved ones on the island since the hurricane made landfall. The New York metropolitan area — including Long Island — is home to one of the nation’s largest Jamaican American populations. More than 1.2 million people of Jamaican descent live in the United States, with over 315,000 residing in New York State alone.
Jamaican American community organizer and Team Jamaica Bickle founder Irwine G. Clare Sr. emphasized the importance of directing contributions through legitimate disaster relief channels to ensure donations meet urgent needs and can be distributed effectively.
“People are suffering — some 70 percent of our nation is without power,” Clare said. “But we are a resilient people. Let’s work together as a collective — when we do that, big things will happen, but they will be done in an effective and strategic manner. Let’s help our brothers and sisters with this endeavor.”
Before contributing, residents are encouraged to visit the Support Jamaica Recovery Portal at SupportJamaica.gov.jm for a list of verified relief organizations and recommended donations.
Nolan’s Cuisine owner Nolan Alexandre-Baker said his restaurant will serve as a collection site for donations to fill barrels that will be shipped directly to families in need. Additional drop-off locations include Solages’ law office at 1630 Dutch Broadway in Elmont and his legislative office at 1550 Franklin Avenue in Mineola.
“What’s going on in Jamaica is a disaster,” Alexandre-Baker said. “I have family out there — my grandmother is out there. The last time I spoke to her was on Monday. I haven’t heard from her since, but I’m praying that she is going to be okay. I’m happy to have my restaurant be a place in Elmont where people can come, donate, and help spread the word.”
One of the organizations leading the relief effort is South Floral Park Village Trustee LeRoy Graham’s True Tribute Organization, a Floral Park-based nonprofit that has supported philanthropic initiatives throughout the Caribbean for more than a decade.
“You cannot put a price on life,” Graham said. “Now is the opportunity for us to come together and lend that support that is needed. It’s Jamaica — it’s also the Dominican Republic, it’s Haiti, and it’s Cuba, where my father is from.”
“Our ask and our plea during this time is for us to come together,” Hanif Russell, co-founder of Caribbean Business Connections, said. “It’s not enough to go and visit the country when you want to relax, have a good time and enjoy the resorts and food, among other things. We need help — your prayers are needed, because there is power in prayer — and we need to put in the work.”
