A group of Naples-based pilots are volunteering their time and aircraft to support Hurricane Dorian relief efforts in the Bahamas.
City of Naples Vice Mayor Gary Price and Terry Spurlock, senior flying ambassador to the Bahamas, are spearheading efforts amongst local pilots who have volunteered to transport locally donated supplies. Together, they are coordinating with Brian Roland, owner of Crave Culinaire/Venue Naples, who has volunteered Venue Naples as a drop-off location for donations.
“We’re fortunate to have the ability and connections to load up our planes and assist with transporting supplies to the Bahamas,” said Price. “We dodged a bullet with this storm, and now it’s time to roll up our sleeves and help others who weren’t so fortunate – as much as we can, as fast as we can.”
Price called upon his aviation contacts to establish a direct channel to deliver supplies to the Bahamas’ hardest hit areas via Nassau. Volunteer flight missions started Monday, Sept. 9.
“We’ll have control over the donations from Naples to Nassau, ensuring they go to those who need it most,” said Price.
“This storm has really brought the pilot community together,” said Spurlock. “What we take for granted, they don’t have right now. It’s tough.”
With Spurlock’s role as a senior flying ambassador to the Bahamas, he has connections that have allowed him to identify direct need during this critical time. Although there is restricted airspace over the hardest hit areas of the Bahamas, Spurlock has flown to Nassau with supplies and witnessed firsthand how the larger aviation community has come together to support relief efforts. On Friday, Sept. 6, he delivered tents, lanterns, air mattresses, diapers and other items that are in critical need right now, with additional flights planned in the coming days.
“It’s not cheap to fly goods into the Bahamas,” said Spurlock. “It takes time and expense for the plane itself, on top of the cost of fuel. On average, for every pound of supplies on the plane, it’s costing these pilots $2-3. But still, every pilot I know has rallied around this effort.”
Any pilots interested in volunteering flying services for hurricane relief efforts can contact the Naples Airport Authority. Anyone interested in donating or volunteering to help pack supplies can contact Venue Naples.
