Fund helps five Caribbean groups with $125,000

Feb 3, 2018 by Triton Staff

The NYC Eastern Caribbean Relief Fund Inc. has announced the first recipients of money donated in the past five months. The fund was created by Island Global Yachting and its parent company, Island Capital Group, in September after hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated parts of the Caribbean. The fund, which has received contributions from several of IGY’s partners and investors, recently selected five local charities in the Eastern Caribbean to receive donations totaling $125,000.

Recipients are:

  • Virgin Islands Marine Rebuild Fund (St. Thomas) – The mission of this fund is to boost employment for islanders out of work because of the hurricanes. The fund will also identify employment and growth opportunities within the marine industry and work with local universities and high schools to promote job and business growth.
  • Fund for the Virgin Islands (St. Thomas) – The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands, which has been operating in the USVI for more than 25 years, created this fund to work with government and community providers to identify priorities and direct resources for immediate needs as well as long-term recovery efforts.
  • Salvation Army, U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas) – The Salvation Army Corps of St. Thomas assisted in providing immediate assistance in Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. The organization is continuing to support families throughout the islands and assisting in the recovery and clean-up of communities.
  • I Can Foundation (St. Maarten) – This is a foster home for children up to the age of 13. Children who have been victims of neglect, abuse or other social issues are provided with around-the-clock care, guidance, treatment programs and activities to prepare them for their futures.
  • New Start for Children Foundation (St. Maarten) – This group provides a home for 25 children. The home sustained severe damages during Hurricane Irma, including the loss of its roof, windows, doors, and nearly everything on the first floor. The second floor, which houses the children’s bedrooms, was completely destroyed. The orphanage will focus on making repairs and replacing items lost during the storm.

The NYC Eastern Caribbean Relief Fund has set a goal to raise $5 million to assist those affected by the hurricanes.

“While the islands have made huge strides toward recovery, there is still much work that remains to be done,” said Tom Mukamal, vice chairman of the fund and CEO of IGY Marinas. “We are optimistic that in time, the spirit and resilience of the affected islands will prevail, and we hope that these funds will help them achieve that.”

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