For too many of Cayman’s residents, Hurricane Katrina and Rita’s devastating aftermath, is reminiscent of the overwhelming emotions felt during and after Hurricane Ivan.
As the U.S. media reports on the enormous task ahead of rebuilding and recovering, Caymans local residents want to help out.
Kerri Kanuga, of RE/MAX Cayman Islands did just that, states a press release.
Kanuga, a resident of Cayman, heard a broadcast by Z-99 recently where funds were being raised to send to the American Red Cross for Hurricane victims.
Ms Kanuga decided to donate CI$2,000 to help,
‘It’s such a sad situation, and one that we can all relate to. If everyone offers a little help, the burden for some of the families may be lifted just a little bit. I want to help as much as I can,’ said Ms Kanuga.
For Ms Kanuga, the memories are all too real.
Hurricane Ivan swept over four feet of water through her condo and place of employment and she lost nearly everything she owned.
Ms Kanuga spent over five months after Ivan apart from her husband waiting in a Miami hotel with her two Cayman dogs until they passed their rabies tests and could return to Grand Cayman.
Ms Kanuga, who is still waiting for her home to be rebuilt, has ‘a huge amount of empathy for the victims of the Hurricanes. They have a long road ahead of them.’
Being an avid animal lover, Ms Kanuga also donated $500 to the US Humane Society. Ms Kanuga’s two dogs barely made it through Hurricane Ivan, having to swim for an unknown amount of time in the floodwaters.
Keeping a positive spirit, Ms Kanuga has an optimistic outlook for the future, and shares that she and her husband, ‘feel blessed that our animals survived that’s all we really cared about.’
Ms Kanuga has also donated funds locally to other victims of Ivan, and volunteered her time to various recovery efforts and charities.
As the victims of Hurricane Katrina attempt to recover from the massive storms, the American Red Cross has deployed thousands of workers and volunteers to the hardest hit areas.
Recently over 5,000 workers and volunteers have left their families to assist others in need. Kanuga encourages other Caymanian residents to help out wherever they can and suggests contacting the US Red Cross or US Humane Society to make donations.
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