The La Soufrière volcano on the Caribbean island of St. Vincent began a series of explosive eruptions on April 9, sending clouds of hot ash some 20,000 feet into the air, blanketing much of the island in ash and causing water and electricity outages. The air smells of sulfur and breathing without a mask means breathing in ash into your lungs. Life on the island is totally disrupted as the population is in a state of crisis. The latest eruption caused more ash to fall throughout the island and as far away as the island nation of Barbados, some 111 miles to the east. Between 16,000 and 20,000 people have been evacuated from areas near the volcano, including about 3,000 who are staying in more than 80 government-run shelters. The primary needs at the moment are:1) Bottled water,
2) N95 masks,
3) Paper towels and toiletries.
Our Club has gathered some of these items and provided them to the Church which is coordinating assistance efforts. The drop off point for donations in Westchester is First Community Church of the Nazarene, 2101 Saw Mill River Rd., White Plains, NY 10607