While our area was spared the worst from Hurricane Matthew, less than 70 miles away, parts of the Bahamas were devastated.
RELATED: More hurricane coverage
Joe Rieger, who spends half the year in the Bahamas, posted on social media that he wanted to help his neighbors, and his post in a sense has gone viral.
The "West End Relief Operation" has collected 20,000 pounds of supplies in just three days.
"It’s an incredible outpouring," said Rieger, who owns Blue Marlin Cove & Marina on Grand Bahama Island.
He went to the Bahamas right after the storm and saw the devastation first hand.
“The village is really destroyed. Took 6-foot plus of water. Children when we were there didn’t have any clothing.”
So far, more than 20 flights have left from Witham Field, where the Stuart Jet Center, is the center of the relief effort.
Monday, golfing great Jack Nicklaus lent his Gulfstream jet to the effort.
There is a wide variety of items being donated. Tents, non perishable food, generators. In fact, there are reports that electricity in some parts of the island could be out for months.
“Any kind of building supplies, baby items, diapers, wipes, medical supplies, tarps, there will be issues with bugs coming up," said Jeff Capen with the Stuart Jet Center.
Pam Kneer brought her ministry students all the way from Lake Wales after seeing the Facebook post.
“It’s great to see this community come together and they keep coming and giving stuff and giving stuff it's a great thing," said Kneer.
The immediate goal is to tend to immediate needs. But this is an effort preparing for the long haul.
If you'd like more information, call 772-485-8159. Supplies will be collected between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. all week at the Stuart Jet Center. This relief effort is being done in coordination with the Bahamian government.
