Greetings,

As search, rescue and recovery continues throughout the Bahamas, the Chicago Consulate’s office continues to work in solidarity mobilizing resource support for deployment.

Recently, the Midwest Jurisdiction launched the Bahamas Forward Relief Initiative, where established locations will work as our strategic partners for the drop off of necessary requested items (due to space consideration the Bahamas Consulate Chicago office will not be included as a drop off location). As we identify impactful partners in Chicago, such as the Office of the Mayor, the Office of Cook County Board President and the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, to assist in facilitating transportation of said items to Florida, we are in weekly communication with the on the ground, frontline, relief HeadKnowles organization to ensure final destination delivery in country.

Decades of experience in disaster relief and recovery have shown that the most effective and impactful way to help survivors affected by disaster is to make cash donations to reputable relief and charitable organizations on the ground. As previously mentioned, in The Bahamas, the HeadKnowles organization is leading that charge right now in evacuations, food, shelter and relocations. I am in constant contact with their co-founder and donations can be made to them at www.oneeleuthera.org/donate. You can also find additional information at https://www.bahamas.com/relief.

We know and expect these efforts to extend over the weeks, months, and even years ahead as we go about the work of rebuilding and moving forward. I implore you to use the consulate’s page as an information resource for Chicago and Midwest donation locations, validated ways to give, and a community of support.

On behalf of Bahamians here in the Midwest U.S., in the Commonwealth and the world over, please allow me to express our thanks from a grateful and humbled nation for your acts of kindness, sacrifice and consideration.

“Forward, Upward, Onward…Together”

With Gratitude,

Hon. Michael C. Fountain
Honorary Consul
Honorary Consulate of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas