Providing Aid For Bahamian Tragedy

Division of Student Affairs Spearheads Donation Drive

Lynn University collaborates with local organizations to provide crucial resources for the Bahamas following Hurricane Dorian.

Floridians prepared for heavy rain, strong winds, and flooding as Dorian threatened the east coast. Florida sustained minimal damage, but the category 5 storm battered the Bahamas on Sunday, Sept. 1.

“The hurricane was devastating for the Bahamas. I heard there are sharks on land. Houses are destroyed,” said Victoria Lue, a freshman majoring in Biology. 

The Lynn community continues to provide both direct and indirect support for those impacted by the storm.

For direct aid, the division of student affairs is already collecting donations for the Bahamas. Some of the requested items include paper towels, flashlights, tool kits, first aid kits and diapers. The donated items will be transferred to the Boca Raton Fire Rescue and the Junior League of Boca Raton and then delivered to the islands. 

Donations will continue to be collected until Friday, Sept. 13 at noon. Items can be donated at the following locations on campus: the International Business Center, the library, the university center, the Green Center, Freiburger residence hall and E. M. Lynn residence hall. Aside from donations, Lynn also took steps to support current students emotionally following the storm’s devastation. 

“Internally, the University reached out to students from the Bahamas to make sure they are OK. Services are available for any student feeling emotionally distressed, such as the Counseling Center,” said Jaclyn Kuwik Buttacavoli, assistant director of Student Involvement. 

In addition to the donation drive, volunteers are needed on Sept. 13 at 1 p.m. to help load and deliver supplies to the Junior League and the Boca Raton Fire Rescue. The sign-up information for volunteering was distributed across campus via email by the division of student affairs. 

“I’m expecting Lynn to really come together to help the Bahamas,” said Erin Garcia, director of international programs and services. “I think the three key resources for students would be to contact the Dean of Students, the Health Center and Counseling [Center]. They are designed for this kind of support.”