A fundraiser for 17 Jamaican workers at Grandma Lambe’s in Meaford has been a big success.
A Go Fund Me page was set up to help the orchard workers who had been scheduled to fly home after the apple harvest but their flights home were cancelled in anticipation of hurricane Melissa which tore through the island this week.
Fundraiser organizer Steph Lambe says the damage is still unknown and many of the workers haven’t been able to connect with family.
She notes there are a number of other orchards in the Georgian Bay area as well that have workers from Jamaica who are affected by the hurricane, and the community is doing what it can to help them.
The Go Fund Me page reads, “While here in Meaford, we’re doing everything we can to help, but it’s when the men go home they will need to start to rebuild their homes and communities.”
Lambe said Friday some of the workers just caught a flight to Jamaica and some are still waiting to go home.
Lambe says, “We’re overwhelmed with the calls coming in to help. Unfortunately the guys are limited to luggage restrictions bringing home just necessities. We have a donation box set up in the Meaford location Grandma Lambe’s Highway 26 Meaford, for anyone local who can help.”
Lambe plans to close the fundraiser soon, as it has reached its $20,000 goal.
She explains, the funds will be divided between the 17 men and send via Money Mart in Owen Sound, which she says is the preferred method for money transfers to Jamaica.
Lambe says, “They were deeply moved that you came together so quickly to help their families,” adding, “This is the essence of community spirit.”