After the Storm: Rebuilding Jamaica Together

Toke & Tour
Oct 30
7 min read

The island has been hit hard — homes, lives, and entire communities shaken.

Many still have no power, no water, and no way to reach out still to say, “We’re okay.”

For so many, the waiting is the hardest part — wondering if loved ones are safe, if a roof still stands, if help has or will come. The unknown can feel unbearable.

But if there’s one thing we know about Jamaica, it’s that her spirit never breaks.

Even when the clouds gather, this island and her people shine brighter than ever - lending a hand, a home and their hearts whenever possible.

Now it’s our turn to join hands, hearts, and efforts — to send love, resources, and strength where it’s needed most.

🤲 Before You Donate — A Word of Caution and Gratitude

There are many relief efforts emerging, and we truly believe most come from a place of love.

Still, please take care in how and where you give — moments like these can sadly attract scams.

And remember, many of the communities hit hardest are still without power, service, or a way to share their needs.

We have nothing but respect for the global humanitarian organizations already on the ground — those who mobilized fast and came prepared to move mountains.

If you can, consider donating to them directly as well — they are equipped, experienced, and active across the island right now.

That said, many of you have reached out asking how to support in a more local, personal way — how to ensure help reaches the hands in our communities in Negril, Savannah-La-Mar, St. Elizabeth, MoBay and beyond.

Through Toke & Tour’s established Bless Up Program, we are committed to doing exactly that — providing help and relief directly to our local community, our team, their families, and our neighbors in need.

We’ll start by ensuring our team has safe housing, food, essentials and are mobile — then quickly extend that same support outward to other families, schools, and local rebuilding efforts.

Transparency will be our guide. 💚

From Afar or On the Ground — Here’s How You Can Help

🫶 Big Up Loved Ones Directly

If you have friends or family in Jamaica, consider helping them directly. When service is restored ask what they need — food, water, building supplies, cash.

Right now, cash will be king as families begin to rebuild and sourcing materials from afar can be challenging.

Even small amounts can go a long way — a new door, a roof, a mattress, a window.

Every contribution helps restore comfort, dignity, and hope for a family who’s lost so much.

And seeing your love turn into something real — a roof repaired, a home restored, a smile returned — is pure irie joy. 🌴

Consider pooling funds with friends or running a mini-crowdfund to sponsor a home, business or community project and “big up” someone in need directly. If you would like to sponsor a family, business or community project and need assistance in finding someone to sponsor, please email danielle@tokeandtours.com. If you would like to donate to a greater fund that will be distributed as needed, please see below.

Tip: Amazon allows you to ship directly to a recipient’s P.O. Box in Jamaica for local pickup (customs fees apply). Additional tip put all 00000 for the zip code.

Big Up Tip: If you want to make a lasting difference — and you can swing it — consider gifting a Starlink system to a friend or family member. No communication? No problem no mo'.

A single Starlink can reconnect entire neighborhoods when service is down.

🌴 Keep Your Plans — The Island Still Irie

Please, please don’t cancel your vacation plans mon unless you have to.

Jamaica will rebuild — and will need you now more than ever. Your visit keeps communities alive, powers recovery and lifts spirit high.

That said, check before you travel. Contact your travel agent, hotel, and airline to confirm details, keep in mind for smaller properties communication systems may be down for some time.

At this time:

Montego Bay Airport (MBJ) is currently closed, but expected to open some terminals today for relief and possible limited commercial flights by the weekend (subject to change).
Kingston Airport (KIN) is expected to reopen today for relief efforts and commercial flights Saturday (subject to change).

If you’re traveling within the next few weeks, instead of cancelling completely, monitor your trip and start discussions about rescheduling for a later date, if needed.

Jamaica will be open and ready to open her arms wide to welcome you!

Keep in mind: Some hotels and resorts may be partially impacted, but that doesn’t mean closed. Ask if certain sections remain open. Many properties, attractions and restaurants will be working hard to restore normal operations as quicky as possible.

And when you do arrive — please for the love of JAH, come with patience and grace. The island just weathered a powerful Category 4–5 storm. Trees may be bare. Supplies may be limited. Travel around the island may take longer. But the warmth, the music, and the irie spirit — they’re still here.

***and Trust Us, the spliffs hittin' the same under a broken palm tree mon!***

Every tour, every meal, every souvenir, every Red Stripe you buy helps someone rebuild their life.

Show some extra love: Are you a contractor, carpenter, plumber, electrician, painter, diy-er or just want to lend a hand?

Volunteer to work on a project while here, we promise your labor will be one filled with love.

💚 Bless Up With Us

When you give, you’re helping us rebuild hope — one home, one family, one community at a time.

Through Toke & Tour’s Bless Up Program, your support will go directly toward three areas of impact:

🏡 Help Rebuild & Restore Stability Funds will be used to assist local families, including our Toke & Tour team members, whose homes or livelihoods may of been damaged by the storm. We’ll assess all needs when able and prioritize repairing roofs, replacing essential household items, and helping families regain safe, livable spaces.
🌱 Strengthen the Community Once needs are addressed, we’ll immediately extend support in the form of your donations and bless up bags to the wider community — from providing basic necessities to helping source building supplies to recover.
🍚 Bless Up Bags We’re preparing to assemble and distribute our Bless Up Bags — filled with toiletries, baby items, hygiene products, cooking and cleaning essentials — to families in Negril, Savannah-La-Mar, MoBay and surrounding areas still recovering. Bags are USD $25 a piece and will be distributed to families throughout November as soon as we are able.

We’ve started collecting donations now, but please note: There’s currently no reliable way to transfer funds to Jamaica until communication and banking systems are fully restored.

Once restored 100% of donations will go into the hands and homes of families in need and we will be sure to share the joy with you.

At this time, we are using our Business Venmo Account solely for donations, to keep funds transparent and to not intermix with any operating expenses.

If you would like your donation to specifically go to one of the above initiatives, please mention in your donation 1,2 or 3. If you would like to donate, but need other means of donation, please email danielle@tokeandtours.com

Bless Up With Us - Donate Here

🎒 Bring a Likkle Love in Your Luggage

If you’re visiting Jamaica soon — don’t cancel your trip! Tourism keeps families working, puts meals on tables, and keeps hope alive.

Consider bringing a little extra love in your suitcase. ✈️💚

🔦 Power & Light

Solar lanterns, Flashlights, Power banks, Rechargeable fans, Batteries, Walkie talkies, Headlamps, small solar chargers.

💧 Water & Sanitation

Collapsible water jugs, Purification tablets, Bleach wipes, Reusable bottles, Hand sanitizer

🧴 Hygiene & Care

Toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, flushable wipes, deodorant wipes, feminine products, towels, wash clothes, adult diapers, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, lotion and petroleum jelly.

💊 First Aid & Health

First-aid kits, ointments, gloves.

🏠 Home Repairs & Shelters

Tarps (heavy duty), rope / paracord / bungee cords, duct tape/ electrical tape, work gloves, tool kits (hammers, saws, drills...), measuring tape, nails, screws, zip ties, fasteners, netting/screening, paint brushes/paint gun, stepping stool, ladders, safety goggles/masks, scrub brushes, trash bags, bleach wipes, sponges, dish soap, laundry soap.

👕 Clothing & Comfort

T-shirts, underwear (new), socks (new), flip-flops, shoes, tote bags.

🎒 For Families & Kids

Infant formula (powdered), baby bottles, diapers, rash cream/petroleum jelly, baby wipes, air mattresses/pads, light weight blankets, sheet sets, pillows, pillow cases, sleeping bags, drapes.

🍲 Food & Cooking Supplies

Food items can also be donated through our Bless Up Bags.

Canned sardines, canned tuna, crackers, rice, flour, sugar, instant noodles, soup packets, powdered milk, tea, cooking oil, charcoal & matches, manual can opener, pots, pans, silverware, dishes.

🌍 High-Value Impact Items

Some items may need to be sourced locally or shipped.

Starlink units (internet for communities), portable generators (gas, solar, dual-fuel), solar panels & batteries, chainsaws (for tree clearing), water filters (Berkey, LifeStraw), chainsaws, empty fuel cans, refrigerated coolers, wheelbarrow, rake, shovel.

If you’d rather ship, Amazon delivers to Jamaica (delivery times may vary). We can help coordinate pickup and distribution through our local network in Negril, MoBay & Savannah-la-Mar only currently.

Below is an Amazon Hurricane Relief List - this is not a complete list - just something to start efforts. I will update needs as I learn of them and if you wish to purchase items not on the list, please do so.

All items on this list will ship to the Sheffield Post Office c/o Bobby. If you wish to have items distributed to particular loved ones, please email directly danielle@tokeandtours.com and note recipient's name on purchase.

Amazon Hurricane Relief List

Bless Up Packing List - Download

🌍 For Those Who Want to Give Through Established Relief Organizations

We get it - we are not in any way officials in relief efforts - we are just trying to do our part for our people where we can. If you prefer to donate through established relief organizations, these trusted partners are providing aid on the ground now around the island:

Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) — Based in Miami, active across the Caribbean with fast, direct relief. 👉 globalempowermentmission.org
United Cajun Navy — U.S.-based nonprofit conducting search and rescue operations and providing aid on the ground now. 👉 https://www.unitedcajunnavy.org
American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) — U.S.-based nonprofit providing hurricane recovery grants to Jamaican organizations.👉 theafj.org
Jamaica Red Cross — Supporting shelters, food, and medical response across the island.👉 redcross.org.jm

💚 One Love, Always

To everyone who’s called, messaged, prayed, and offered help — thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your love is a testament to our team and our island and we feel very blessed and grateful.