Home/Royal News/Leadership/Hurricane Dorian Relief Efforts

Dear TFA Families,
As news of Hurricane Dorian’s devastating impact on the Bahamas surfaced earlier this week, I was overwhelmed by the number of TFA families, friends, and community members who almost immediately reached out, asking how they could help. The needs are already great in the Bahamas and we want to do whatever we can to help. One of our FIve Aspirations for a TFA Student is for them to become Servant Leaders. This is an opportunity for each of us as parents to talk with our children about the importance of serving others, especially those in need.

We are partnered with First Baptist Orlando (FBO) and their initiative to provide support and resources to the many in need. FBO is currently in direct communication with our Southern Baptist disaster relief partner to determine the best way to meet needs in the Bahamas after Dorian’s catastrophic impact. We understand from those leading the efforts that the main priority right now is to pray and give.

How Can You Help?

  • You can support relief efforts in the Bahamas through Baptist Global Response – https://gobgr.org/donate
  • You can also give directly through #FirstOrlando at FirstOrlando.com/Hurricane, and 100% of your donation will go to support those impacted by Hurricane Dorian.
  • Let’s continue praying for our brothers and sisters in the Bahamas and for the rescue and relief efforts to come.

Additionally, next week ( September 9-13) is now officially Bahamas Support Week at The First Academy. Below, I have highlighted some of the events that will take place throughout the week:

Thursday, September 12 at 6:00pm – Evening of Worship: A Night of Music, Prayer, and Testimonies from TFA students. We will be collecting all items for Bahamas Hurricane relief outside of the Black Box Theatre during the event. All supplies collected will go through vetted organizations either through First Baptist Orlando or The First Academy.
*See items needed for collection below

Friday, September 13– Tropical Theme Dress Up Day! All students may wear “tropical-themed” clothing (TFA approved) for a $1 donation in place of their regular Spirit Wear. All of the proceeds for this special dress-up day will go towards Bahamas relief support. We are encouraging all students to join us Friday night at 7:00 pm in their “tropical-theme” attire at the Varsity Football Game at Payne Stewart. Students and families are encouraged to bring supplies to the game as well, we will have a collection area available.

In addition, we are going to be collecting several supplies in our divisions over the next week. At the end of the week, we will divide up the different supplies and deliver them to the agencies we are supporting with our efforts. All of the agencies we are partnering with have been vetted through First Baptist Orlando and The First Academy.

*Supply List:

  • Batteries/AA + AAA
  • Flashlights/Headlamps
  • Solar-powered phone chargers
  • Generators
  • Coolers
  • Blue Tarps
  • Rolls of Plastic sheeting
  • Work Gloves/work boots
  • Staple Guns/staples
  • Sleeping bags
  • Chainsaws
  • Water purification tablets
  • Large water jugs
  • Bottled water
  • Medical Supplies/First Aid
  • Feminine products/baby products/basic toiletries
  • Sunscreen
  • Bug Spray
  • Bars of Soap
  • Toilet Paper
  • Peanut Butter
  • Protein/Granola Bars
  • Canned Goods

Our Campus Pastor, Victor Flores, will be leading our response efforts in coordination with our friends at FBO. If you have any questions, feel free to call his office at 407.206.8745 or send him an email at victorflores@thefirstacademy.org.

Thank you for your partnership and your willingness to work as one body. We are Stronger Together, in the service of those in need during this difficult time.

Steve D. Whitaker, Ph.D.
Head of School