Members of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 loaded a U-Haul truck Monday with tools, bug spray, diapers, toiletries and other necessities to send to the Bahamas.
The island chain was hit hard by Hurricane Dorian earlier this month. More than 50 people have died in the Bahamas, and 1,300 are still missing, according to reports.
“This is incredible,” said Remy Duncombe, who was picking up the supplies. “Thank you so much.”
Duncombe, who was born in the Bahamas, lost a cousin as a result of Dorian, and much of his family was affected by the storm.
He and his wife were planning to leave for the Abaco Islands and Grand Bahama the day the storm made landfall. Those areas were hit hardest by Dorian.
“It still feels like a dream,” Duncombe said. “Everything is just gone.”
Duncombe works with the Carribean Community in Philadelphia, an organization the FOP partnered with on the donation drive.
The FOP began collecting items at its headquarters in the Far Northeast on Monday, Sept. 16, and the drive ended on Sunday.
“We like to do these types of collections for anybody, locally or otherwise,” said Shannon Pisarek, the union’s community outreach coordinator. ••
