The Bahama Islands were recently hit by Hurricane Dorian and are still experiencing the effects of that storm, and Clarksdale’s mayor and a local business have put out the call to help those who are hurting.
Speaking to the Clarksdale Rotary Club on Tuesday, Espy said he and a team from Arkansas, Tennessee and Mississippi have organized relief efforts to assist families who have been displaced.
Saf-T-Cart of Clarksdale is also filling a trailer with supplies and donated items and will ship it at a later date to the Bahamas to assist in disaster relief.
Espy said Clarksdale has a history of helping those who are hurting. In 2005 Espy was part of a group that assisted in relief from Hurricane Katrina on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
“We led a team of members from the NBA Players Association along with a convoy of 17, 18-wheelers with supplies from Feed the Children Charity,” said Espy. “We learned how critical it was to distribute items of need to the people on the Coast of Mississippi.”
He said he also learned after dispersing tons of household supplies and non-perishable foods that many times more was needed to sustain those remaining in the area. And that is the focus of disaster relief at this time.
Espy said the plan is to ask people to either purchase a privately funded $20 Visa gift card or donate a similar amount that will go directly to purchasing these cards. Espy said the cards will be distributed to those in need.
“I need your help so we can positively impact as many lives as possible who have been touched by this catastrophic storm,” he said. “We can assure you, each card you provide will go directly to the families and individuals affected by this devastating storm.”
Espy also wanted to make it clear he was going at his own expense and while representing Clarksdale, no city or public funds will be used to pay for the trip.
Those wishing to donate can
Mayor Espy added, “To be clear, I will be paying for all my expenses associated with
this trip. No city or public funds will be used to fund any part of my participation.”
Those wanting more details can call Clarksdale City Hall at 662-621-8163.
Those wanting details on the donating supplies to Saf-T-cart can call the office at 1322 Industrial Park Drive at 662-624-6492.
