San Diego developer Papa Doug Manchester, who is nominated by President Trump to serve as Ambassador to the Bahamas, has agreed to match private donations up to a total of $1 million to help the hurricane-ravaged country.
Hurricane Dorian, which made landfall Sept. 1 on Great Abaco Island, was the most powerful storm to ever strike the island nation that lies just 50 miles off the east coast of Florida.
Manchester recently returned from the Bahamas, where he visited children at shelters and delivered 2,000 pounds of food, medical supplies and goods from the United States.
The Manchester Charitable Foundation has already received personal donations from $5 to $100,000 from throughout the United States.
“I want to personally thank the United States of America and the Trump Administration for being so responsive and proactive in aiding the Bahamian people devastated by the storm,” said Manchester. “We are sending our thoughts and prayers to all of the families who have been affected. The Bahamians are strong and resilient, and we pledge to stand with them as they persevere through this catastrophe.”
In addition to Manchester’s foundation, the Prime Minister’s office has posted an official list of approved charities.
Manchester noted that the Bahamas’ proximity to the United States facilitates efforts to help with disaster relief.
“We cannot afford to let the Bahamas collapse,” he said. “We must help them rebuild.”
