When Hurricane Matthew passed over the Bahamas last week, it hit the West End of Grand Bahama Island particularly hard. The aftermath of the storm revealed complete destruction of the local community that will take months to fully rebuild and recover. Thankfully there have been no deaths reported from the storm. Our friends at Epic Diving have organized a relief effort to directly support rebuilding the local community.

Wetpixel takes yearly trips to the island, as do many others in the underwater photography community. You can directly support the relief effort by donating here. Alternatively, if you are in the Florida area and would like to donate supplies, there are several drop off locations.

The items in greatest need are:

Basic survival items: canned food, baby food, juice boxes, and water

Medical supplies: gauze, bandages, and antiseptic

Bug spray and citronella candles, to fend off mosquitoes

They are also in need of clothing and shoes for adults and children, diapers, baby wipes, personal hygiene items, and feminine products. Lastly, we are looking for basic tools and shelter supplies including tarps, nails, duct tape, hammers, rope, batteries, flashlights, generators, power cords, and boxes/containers to consolidate items.

Here are a list of drop-off locations:

Stuart Jet Center 2501 SE Aviation Way Stuart, FL 34996 Contact Patrick Price at 772-405-0091

Tequesta: Jupiter Tequesta AC 582 N US Hwy 1 Tequesta, FL 33469

Lantana: X-Generation Custom Rods 410 N Dixie Highway Lantana, Florida 33462 Contact Seth Funt at 561-445-4694.

Fort Lauderdale: Broward Design Center Warehouse 795 East Sunrise Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 Contact Maxine Gomez at 954-779-6398.