VOLUNTEERS have been working hard to gather donations for those affected by Hurricane Joaquin in The Bahamas.

One effort based at Odyssey Aviation in Nassau involved a number of groups, including Rotaract. Trans Island Air had offered to provide transport for the donations to the affected islands, with 15 planes ready to go after support from various private companies and individuals.

Donations such as water and tinned goods were being delivered, but there was a desperate need for tin openers to give to people to open those tins, as well as tarps and feminine hygiene products. One volunteer said there were roughly 1,000 women on Long Island alone and only 15 boxes of hygiene products had been donated so far.

Meanwhile, at Island Cellular on Rosetta Street, donations were being sorted through, with a call going out for food, water and clothing.

Volunteers are also needed to help sort through donations, with the location open until 11pm tonight. The location is used as a depot for the Red Cross and other organisations.

The Red Cross has also announced that monetary donations can be deposited at A/C #289-423-6 at Royal Bank on John F Kennedy Drive. They said they were seeking donations of rice, tuna, peanut butter, oatmeal, canned spaghetti, jams, flour, sardines, corn beef, sugar, fruit cups, evaporated milk and other non-perishable items, as well as furniture and bedding. For more information on the Red Cross drive, call 323-7370.

The Rotary Club of East Nassau has announced that donated canned goods, clothing, water and other non-perishables can be dropped to Ben Albury, the General Manager at Bahamas Bus and Truck Company, on Montrose Avenue and Tenwich Street on Monday morning. Mr Albury will arrange delivery to the islands that need the supplies the most.

The Club says it will be creating a separate crowd funding initiative and will hold is a fundraiser on Thursday evening at Bambu with all $20 admissions going to the hurricane relief cause. Information on the GREAT (Global Rotary East Action Today) Facebook page.