NJ family who rode out hurricane in Jamaica now aiming to help those affected

A family from New Jersey who were stranded in Jamaica when Hurricane Melissa struck shared that they are determined to pay it forward to the people who helped them through the storm’s chaos.

Drew Huggard told NBC10 that he and a group of relatives from Galloway Township, New Jersey, were stranded for days after Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica.

Huggard shared that his family’s first look at the destruction from Hurricane Melissa was surreal.

“We picked up, you know, debris parts of the building,” said Huggard.

However, what really struck him was the resilient, caring nature of the employees at a hard-hit resort in Montego Bay.

“These people haven’t stopped working,” shared Huggard.

Huggard added, “The entire time we were there with the unknowns, the fear factor, they were putting a smile on your face.”

Jerry Camp added, “The staff is truly amazing. Everybody’s here doing an amazing job keeping us fed, keeping our spirits up.”

Now, the family is on a mission to help resort staffers and their loved ones rebuild their lives by raising money and gathering donations of non-perishable food and other essential items.

A collection box at Huggard’s restaurant is filled with toilet paper, diapers, and towels. He has remained in touch with employees from the resort.

“Ours is directly going to the staff that helped us, that was working there,” said Huggard.

Huggard said that the response from the community has been amazing.

13 years ago at this time, many people in the area were dealing with the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy or helping those whose lives had just been upended.

“It’s nice to see our local community rallying behind Jamaica and giving them what they need,” said Huggard.

Huggard hopes to go back to Jamaica, but not as a tourist.

“I want to be boots on the ground and helping,” Huggard shared.