September 26, 2019: In addition to working with BASRA - Grand Bahama Island, we've made contact with Mark and Patty from BASRA - Hope Town, Abaco.   We've briefed them on VISAR’s fundraiser and our standards for transparency with donated funds.

Using our experience after Hurricane Irma, we discussed the gratitude for the worldwide support that steps in and provides food, water, shelter and feet on the ground.  However, we acknowledge that support can and will only last so long.  Both VISAR and BASRA agreed that it would be best to hold off on purchasing supplies for the moment. As we all know the road to rebuilding is long and tiring and VISAR’s donated funds could make a bigger impact during this later time period. 

VISAR staff members, Julie Schneider and Carine Locher will be attending the Annapolis Boat show in October and will have a chance to meet with Mark and Patty.  We will then come up with an action plan to help the different branches of BASRA and discuss how best VISAR crew members can help on the ground.

The funds collected so far via Member Plant and in person donations totals $3,222.70 with two donations in transit.  As we did, for the funds raised after Irma for the community, we have earmarked these funds in our system and will move them to our savings account till it is time to purchase supplies.

September 9, 2019: VISAR has been working hard behind the scenes to help in the relief efforts in The Bahamas.  After many emails and phone calls, we were finally able to make contact with Bahamas Air-Sea Rescue Association (BASRA), Chairman, Eddie who is located on Grand Bahamas Island. BASRA is a Non Profit-Non Government Organization much like VISAR. 

As you can imagine, he sounds like we did two years ago.  He knows he needs help, he’s grateful that we’ve reached out, but he needs a bit of time to determine how best to use our resources.  

While we wait on BASRA, we would like to start collecting funds, so we are prepared to start purchasing and directly shipping items, once they’ve provided us with their supply list.

VISAR is also looking into sending volunteer crew members to The Bahamas to help, as needed, over the next few months.  Should this happen, we will use these funds to make sure our crew have the materials needed to accurately support BASRA.

We at VISAR, pride ourselves on being transparent, especially with disaster relief funds. 100% of all funds raised through the “Support BASRA” fund, will go directly towards relief efforts. VISAR will not be taking an admin fee. By clicking on "Support this Campaign" you can customize your own donation amount. 

Please note: Memberplant does take a processing fee for all donations processed online. Please feel free to email julie@visar.org or call me at 345.4357 if you’d like to drop off cash or a check.