- February 7, 2025
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The news of the damage done throughout the Caribbean has been widespread. But for one Port Orange resident, the small island of Dominica has stood out.
Susan Whyte has been working to raise money and collect items, such as clothing, diapers and feminine supplies, to support the people of Dominica.
Whyte and her family visited Dominica for 10 days at the beginning of August. About six weeks later when Hurricane Maria hit she knew she had to help in some way. She has been working to help provide the Give More HUGS organization with supplies and money donations. Give More HUGS has traditionally focused on students in need but has now shifted parts of the outreach to help the island.
"It was a fabulous island, the people we met were beautiful," Whyte said. "It was just devastating. The little kids that we saw ... it's still very raw, and now, who knows."
Whyte said at the end of November she will be taking all of the donations down to Miami where a shipping agency will bring the provisions to the island. She added they are also trying to bring donations to Portsmouth, the island's second largest town. However, Whyte said contact with people on the island has been limited making it difficult to reach people.
Whyte said in addition to the clothes and other items donated, they have been able to raise more the $500 and are expecting a $1,000 donation from a foundation.
In the meantime, Whyte has continued to do her best to help the island she was at herself only a few weeks ago.
"If I hadn't been there it probably wouldn't have been on my radar," Whyte said.
