Our beloved STJ needs your help. Please donate.

[lark22]

Hi Team STJ,

While we're all anxiously waiting for news and details, one thing is certain; the damage is awful, and the people of St John need help desperately.

Thoughts and prayers are lovely, but action is needed. The best practical way for all of us to act right now is donate to St. John Rescue, who will be directly aiding the people of St. John in the immediate aftermath of this devastating storm, and beyond.

St. John and its people have given us so much over the years, and it's time for us to step up.

Can you give the equivalent of what you spent last trip on one nice meal at Zozo's? Or maybe even what you spent on a night or two at Caneel? If not, even just the equivalent of what you paid for Uncle Joe's BBQ or a few drinks at Woody's would help....whatever you can give to help St. John now in its hour of dire need will help enormously.

Link: http://www.stjohnrescue.com/

[Agent99]

I love your idea of a matching donation to a special dinner out or a few nights at a villa. Here is a link to St. John Rescue's Irma Relief Go Fund me page. They've gotten around 750 individual donations already and they've got around $91,000 so far toward a $500,000 goal.

https://www.gofundme.com/gyp4sw-hurricane-irma-relief-fund

[Teresa_Rae]

I love your idea of a matching donation to a special dinner out or a few nights at a villa. Here is a link to St. John Rescue's Irma Relief Go Fund me page. They've gotten around 750 individual donations already and they've got around $91,000 so far toward a $500,000 goal.

https://www.gofundme.com/gyp4sw-hurricane-irma-relief-fund

You can donate directly and Go Fund Me doesn't get a cut:
http://www.stjohnrescue.com/donate

Donating directly through the site uses PayPal, which takes 2.2% + $0.30 per donation; Go Fund Me takes 7.9% + $0.30 per donation.

[Agent99]

Thanks so much. I didn't know!

[lark22]

Agent99, I just find that it puts it into perspective...like, I spent this money on my own STJ enjoyment, now it's time to earmark a similar amount back to the island itself.

I'm heartsick thinking about all of the people whose lives and homes have been ruined.

[Agent99]

I just read that Go Fund Me has waived their fee for this group's efforts. https://www.gofundme.com/irma-relief-for-our-sister-islands.

[Pickle]

I have come across the post from St. John Rescue stating that they need the money that GoFundMe has raised for them "now" to get search and rescue teams and supplies down. Apparently, it takes some time (I don't know generally how long) for GoFundMe to release the money. They are pleading for people to write to the CEO of GoFundMe regarding the issue. If you would like to make donations, it does seem better, at least for now, to donate directly to St. John Rescue so they can use them now.

[lark22]

it does seem better, at least for now, to donate directly to St. John Rescue so they can use them now.

Absolutely agree -- direct link to St John Rescue is at the bottom of my original message!

[Pickle]

I do imagine (as I'm hoping) GoFundMe will release the money quicker than it usually does since the issue seems to be getting their attention. Still, it's an extra layer that St. John Rescue has to go through to receive the donations.

I have seen the St. John Rescue's post on their FB page telling us to:
"Donate through http://www.stjohnrescue.com. Thank you".


Updating my posts:

Today (Sep. 10th) St. John Rescue is thanking folks for the funds raised through GoFundMe and asking for more support.

https://www.facebook.com/stjohnrescue/? ... ts&fref=nf

It's a little confusing as to where we should donate but, since they've now mentioned both "their website" and "GoFundMe", either should help St. John.