Calgarians come together to support Jamaican relief efforts

A southern Albertan and his Jamaican family caught in Hurricane Melissa share their story, while in Calgary, people continue relief efforts.

Calgarian Kimberly Douglas is drumming up support for Jamaica as the country deals with the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

“The morning of the storm, I was actually in tears seeing that the pressure had fallen and just the wind speed of the storm itself. I knew it would be devastating because it was slated to sit over the island for such an extended period of time,” said Douglas.

She has launched a GoFundMe page to provide areas impacted with emergency supplies, toiletries, baby food and items, clothes for all age groups, non-perishable foods, tarps, tents and minor medical supplies.

Douglas has distant family members she still hasn’t heard from.

“In the same country region that I am from, Clarendon, they were totally cut off,” said Douglas. “You have rooftops that are gone, people’s houses that are totally devasted.”

Douglas arrived in Canada in February of 1989 from Jamaica, just five months after the island experienced the powerful wrath of Hurricane Gilbert.

“When it came to the impacts of the storm, I remember being in a house and seeing someone’s roof sitting on someone else’s porch, or what we call a veranda, and that forever lives in my mind -- just the devastation, seeing that and then the after-effects of the storm,” said Douglas.

Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke with the prime minister of Jamaica and chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Andrew Holness, committing to supporting Jamaica by providing emergency food, water and health assistance.

The Canadian Armed Forces’ operational support hub has also been activated in Jamaica to help enable the delivery of regional disaster relief efforts.

Modern Steak Fundraiser

Back in Calgary, Modern Steak on Stephen Ave is holding a fundraiser event to help the Jamaican community.

“We are doing our part to make sure we can help out,” said Modern Steak owner Stephen Deere. “I think people don’t know how bad it actually is down there.”

The restaurant will be putting on a six-part Caribbean inspired meal on Nov. 15, which will be paired with Appleton Estate Rum cocktails.

“All the profits will be going to the relief cause,” said Deere.

There will also be a silent auction with a goal to raise $5,000.

Lethbridge resident caught in storm

Derek Boyle, a Lethbridge resident who lives part-time in Montego Bay, was there with his pregnant wife and stepson when the storm decimated the area.

“It was the first hurricane I have ever been in,” said Boyle.

“I hope it’s the last one. It was frightening. It was an experience I don’t wish on anybody.”

The three of them have since made it to Kingston.

“This part of the island wasn’t nearly as affected,” said Boyle.

“With my partner being almost eight months pregnant, I made the decision to come to Kingston. We’re in an Airbnb that has power, water (and) the hospitals are functioning here.

“When the time comes to give birth to my son,” he added, “it should hopefully go fairly smooth in comparison to if we were back in Montego Bay.”

He was hoping to get them visas to come to Canada, which has been a struggle for the family.

Boyle can return to Canada, but his partner and stepson cannot due to immigration issues.

“As a father, I’m trying to protect my family the best I can,” he said.

“I can’t leave here until they can come back with me.”

Sophia Pereira, with Bastion Immigration Consulting in Toronto, said that for privacy reasons she can’t get into the details of Boyle’s case, but immigration processes can still take time, even in emergencies.

“We understand it may be stressful and frustrating, but with everything, there is a process,” she said.

Given the urgency, Boyle is asking Ottawa to expedite his family’s applications.

“I’m reaching out to the Canadian government — please approve my stepson’s visa, my girlfriend’s visa and for my unborn son,” he pleaded.

With files from CTV’s Kathy Le