Time to Give: Starlight’s List of Virgin Islands Relief Organizations

Captain Toby meets with Mrs. Sharon Flax Brutus on Virgin Gorda.

Starlight is proud to help in the recovery effort to the US and British Virgin Islands.   In September, the Virgin Islands were devastated by two Category 5 hurricanes.   While the tourism industry has worked hard with incredible progress to bring back wonderful tourist spots, three months after the storm the islands still need our help.  Many areas are still without power and many families go one living without basic necessities.  With the vast majority of resorts closed and many not opening until 2019, many Virgin Islanders will be out of work for a significant period.

Please consider donating to one of the following reputable charities, which are just a few of the many outstanding organizations working in the Virgin Islands.

British Virgin Islands

• BVIStrong Fund

The BVIStrong Fund, set up by the British Virgin Islands government, is raising funds to go towards rebuilding the territory after the storm’s devastation, and helping the people who have lost everything due to the destruction of Hurricane Irma.

• Virgin Unite

Longtime BVI Resident Businessman and Philanthropist Richard Branson is raising money through Virgin Unite tasked with working with the BVI Government and the local community across the whole of the BVI, listening to their needs, in order to come up with a plan to support this long term reconstruction.  As a very cool side note to this charity, Virgin Unite’s overheads are covered by Richard Branson and the Virgin Group, meaning that 100% of all donations received will go directly to helping support local BVI communities.

• Virgin Gorda Relief Supply Fund

Virgin Gorda is raising money through the Virgin Gorda Relief Supply Fund.  This wonderful group was organized by Dive Shop owner Casey McNutt and we can rest assured that 100% of the funds are going to help families in Virgin Gorda.

United States Virgin Islands

• Love for Love City Foundation

The Love for Love City Foundation is an awesome effort by Kenny Chesney to provide relief to St. John and the US Virgin Islands.   The Foundation has made significant contributions to the recovery in the BVI, particularly on Jost Van Dyke, which is very close to St. Johnian’s hearts.  Chesney’s foundation has also made heroic efforts to relieve the strain on Virgin Island animals (like our boat dog Bamboo) and has airlifted hundreds of dogs and cats out of the territory.  Chesney is raising funds through merchandise along with donations.

• Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands

The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands is raising funds for relief and restoration of the USVI.  The Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands is an established philanthropic organization that manages a permanent collection of funds as well as essential programs and services to benefit the citizens of the USVI.  They are particularly well positioned to assess the needs and distribute funds in a smart and just manner.

• 21 USVI Hurricane Relief Fund

The 21 USVI Hurricane Relief Fund is organized by St. Thomas native and professional NBA basketball player Tim Duncan.  Tim Duncan joined a few other notable figures (like Kenny Chesney and Michael Bloomberg) early on after the storms to bring awareness and relief to the Virgin Islands.

There are many more wonderful organizations to give to in the Virgin Islands.  Whoever you give to, the Virgin Islands certainly needs and appreciates the help.   People here are working hard everyday, but need help.

Thank you in advance with your help to reVIve the Virgin Islands,

Captain Toby

As a post script side note, at the time of this post i could find no evidence through research that USVI resident billionaire and major property owner Jeffrey Epstein has given to the relief effort in any meaningful way.  Unlike the British Virgin Island’s dynamic philanthropic billionaire resident Richard Branson, Mr. Epstein is a criminal and a highly controversial character who has unfortunately been involved in pedophilia and sex trafficking.  Regardless, Mr. Epstein claims to be a philanthropist and even promotes his “Jeffrey Epstein VI Foundation.”  If anyone reading this can assert influence to persuade Mr. Epstein to give in the community where he has engaged in his deviant life for many years, now would be the time.  If I am wrong and Mr. Epstein is keeping a “low profile” in his giving (outside employing masses to help in the gigantic effort underway to rebuild his own properties),  please let me know and I will give my sincerest apologies for this sentiment.