UCF’s donation drive to benefit the Bahamas came to a close on Friday, capping off a three-week relief effort that netted thousands of pounds of food and supplies to help the survivors of Hurricane Dorian.
The donations gathered — enough to fill two, 16-passenger vans — were transported to a local collection center managed by the National Association of the Bahamas and will be shipped directly to the impacted islands. The drive was a joint effort between UCF Global, Student Development and Enrollment Services and the Student Government Association.
“We are very happy about the results of the Bahamas Relief Fund drive. More so, we are excited to see the impact of all our university partners, who collectively stepped up to the plate to help our Bahamian brothers and sisters,” says SGA president Kyler Gray. “Whether here in Orlando or afar, UCF stands committed to always lending a hand for those that are in need.”
Drop-off boxes on the main campus, at Rosen College of Hospitality Management and UCF Downtown quickly filled to capacity as the campus community rallied to support those affected by the storm. Donations included boxes of diapers, tools, cleaning supplies, cooking utensils, blankets, dozens of cases of water and hundreds of cans of food.
Staff members with UCF Global sorted the supplies and readied them for transport. “We’re very humbled by the demonstration of love and support shown by our UCF family to alleviate the hardship faced by the people of the Bahamas,” says Nataly Chandia, assistant vice president for UCF Global. “Efforts like this highlight how we are all committed to doing extraordinary things.”
The National Association of the Bahamas is a nonprofit organization that works to support the Bahamas and provides scholarships to students of Bahamian descent.
