Across Broward's schools, government and nonprofit landscape, residents and community leaders are quickly mobilizing to send aid to Jamaica and other Caribbean nations after devastation from Category 5 Hurricane Melissa earlier this week.

With many connected through Jamaican heritage, about a dozen Broward elected officials and community leaders discussed ongoing aid efforts on Friday — and urged members of the public to continue supporting the Caribbean.

“ This is personal, and this is our moment to stand together,” said District 9 Commissioner Hazelle Rogers, who was born in Jamaica. “Broward County is not just responding. We are leading.”

As of Friday afternoon, Hurricane Melissa's death toll had reached at least 19 in Jamaica and 31 in Haiti.

At the press conference in Lauderhill,

See Full Page