Woodcats Int’l aids hurricane recovery efforts in St Bess

In the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl’s devastation, Woodcats International, a subsidiary of Derrimon Trading Company Limited (DTL), is aiding recovery efforts by providing materials for the renovation of roofs for two deserving families in St Elizabeth. The gesture was welcomed by Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining and Member of Parliament for St Elizabeth South Western, Floyd Green.

A company release noted the process and motivation: “The devastation in St Elizabeth, especially in the southern region, was profound, with extensive damage including fallen poles, downed cell towers, and numerous homes completely ruined. Earlier this year, Derrimon Trading Company provided over 200 care packages to residents in St Elizabeth and Clarendon, offering essential supplies and support in the wake of the hurricane’s destruction.

During our visit to St Elizabeth in July, we encountered several families who had been badly affected. The sight was overwhelming, and we knew rebuilding would require support from both the Government and the private sector. Our subsidiary, Woodcats, was well-equipped to assist in coordinating the necessary materials for roof repairs. While some homeowners had already begun repairs, one woman seemed to be struggling more than the others, and shared her situation with our CFO, Ian Kelly, who then decided to help her.

Additionally, Minister Floyd Green contacted us to express his gratitude for our efforts. During our conversation, he learned that we were assisting one family and looking for another to help. He then recommended another family in need,” said Georgia Strachan, group brand manager, who explained how the families were chosen.

This second initiative, the release continued, which aims to restore homes in the Congo-hole and Mountainside communities, was led by Peter Douglas, general manager of Woodcats International. The roofing materials provided include zinc sheets, lumber, nails, and hurricane straps, with the overall value of the contribution estimated at approximately $800,000.

Douglas said, “The devastation in St Elizabeth, especially in the southern region, was truly heartbreaking. The most urgent need for many families was repairing the damaged roofs of their homes. We ventured to St Elizabeth last Thursday and wanted to ensure we did our part to help these two families feel safe and secure by ensuring they had a solid roof over their heads. We remain committed to making a tangible difference in the lives of those affected by Hurricane Beryl and it is our hope that this gesture brings some comfort and stability.”

Minister Green, who personally guided the Derrimon/Woodcats teams to one of the affected homes, has acted as the liaison between the companies and the homeowner. Green also guided the team to various communities in the area to distribute care packages to those who needed them most. The care packages included Delect’s Mackerel, Corned Beef, Pasta, Ketchup and Vegetable Oil, Refresh’s Purified Water, Spicy Hill’s Cock-O-Noodle soup as well as crackers, rice, flour, sugar, and Gentle tissue.

SEMBLANCE OF NORMALCY

Minister Green says the direction now is on rehabilitation and getting back to some semblance of normalcy. “The focus now is on recovery. We try to ensure that we have a strong public/private sector partnership in driving recovery, as the damage is extensive, so we really need to pool our resources if we are going to be able to get to as many families as possible. Derrimon has been on the ground providing some relief support in the form of care packages so I was very happy when their subsidiary, Woodcats International, also wanted to provide support in the form of roofing materials. One of the families identified consisted of the elderly. What we have found is that a number of our more senior citizens who have built their houses and are now in their retirement have been more hard-pressed to find the resources to put back on their roofs. The second was a fairly large family with a single mother with six children who lost their roof completely. For both families, they would have been unable to do anything since the storm, so this is literally the first step for them in getting back to normalcy.”

The home repairs are expected to be completed within one to two weeks, with local residents assisting in the labour. Woodcats International will revisit both homes to assess the completed repairs, ensuring the families can once again feel secure under their roofs.

Minister Green continued, “The Woodcats team provided materials that not only allow the families to rebuild their roofs but also ensure they are better equipped to withstand any subsequent events of this nature. The families are extremely grateful, and I, too, am happy and grateful to Derrimon, and by extension the Woodcats team for their practical approach to the recovery of these families as they have been providing what the people need and more importantly meeting them where they are.”