The following are excerpts from the on-line newsletter, "St John Source"
While it seems as if the suffering and damage to the USVI has been lost in the news of Hurricane Irma striking Florida, the territory is beginning to get attention. Gov. Kenneth Mapp visited St John, Tuesday, dashing across the island in a five-vehicle convoy, lights flashing and sirens blowing. He was pursued by a press contingent that included a crew from HBO's 'Vice News', the Boston Globe and the Washington Post.Stephanie Guyer-Stevens from Public Radio International delivered an 18-minute report for NPR.
John Covell who is coordinator for FEMA stated, "The groups who have stepped forward ...they're making things happen in a really wonderful way."
"Our first priority is water and food security, which is now stable...but we're keeping a close watch, and other life sustaining operations like road clearance, distributing tarps so people have shelter," said Covell
Ryan West from the volunteer group Love City Strong said two restaurants have been contracted by the Red Cross to provide two meals a day for 30 days. The two restaurants are feeding anyone who is hungry.
The Coral Bay shelter finally got a shipment of cots. For the last six days many of the people staying at the shelter have slept on blankets lying on the floor or on tables.
(In the newsletter, "St John Source" that I have been receiving daily since the hurricane hit, the Love City Strong volunteer group of young people is mentioned regularly. They appear to be a very active and inspirational group and I am not surprised. The two times I have visited the Island I have been very moved by the work the Islanders have done to raise money for the wounded war veterans organization "Team River Runner." Clearly the population of St John is a caring, loving and responding community of people.)
And finally, some people on the island still have their sense of humor...
A woman was seen in Coral Bay Thursday, leading a pig and carrying a sign that read, "Pet a Pig, it will Make You Happy."
Another woman said recently, "I would like to send a message to my neighbor. Please come and get your roof."
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