Update: Sol Relief Pilot Raise Nearly $300,000 For Bahamas

Update: Sol Relief announced Friday that it has received $272,428 in donations for its Bahamas relief effort, which John Auer, president and CEO of American Strategic Insurance Corp. and a private pilot in St. Petersburg, has pledged to match.

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A squadron of private planes piloted by Tampa Bay residents have been flying into the hurricane-ravaged Bahamas with desperately needed relief supplies.

More than 70 pilots volunteered with Sol Relief, a St. Petersburg nonprofit, to help provide disaster relief in the Caribbean.

Four planes full of disaster relief items left Tuesday morning out of Albert Whitted Airport in St. Pete with essential supplies onboard to be distributed throughout the Bahamas. Others flew out Wednesday and Thursday to Lyndon Pindling International Airport, one of the few airports in the Bahamas that wasn't ravaged by Hurricane Dorian.

Among the mission of the pilots is to help reopen airports impacted by Hurricane Dorian. Sol Relief emergency response coordinator Mark Auchtung said the nonprofit is in need of chainsaws and generators, so they can clear debris from runways, among other items include on Sol Relief's wish list.

"The most needed items at this time are generators (small preferred), extension cords, tarps, air mattresses and compressors," said Auchtung.

Sol Relief is working in partnership with the nonprofit organizations World Hope International, YachtAid Global, MAP International and others to ensure that donations are delivered to those in need.

St. Petersburg pilot Jennifer Lockwood founded Sol Relief in 2017 following hurricanes Irma and Maria.

From that effort, the nonprofit has developed a network of volunteer pilots, private planes and partnerships with other nonprofits.

Donations can be delivered to St. Pete Air at Albert Whitted Airport, 107 8th Ave. S.E., St. Petersburg, Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

AW Mercantile, located within Armature Works, will act as a collection center for baby supply items daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Monday, Sept. 10.

Those wanting to support Sol Relief can also drop off supplies at Boca Kitchen Bar and Market at either the Soho Tampa or Brandon location, Ciro’s Speakeasy and Supper Club or Sea Critters Café in Pass-a-Grille.

“Our family often visits to the Bahamas with Green Turtle and Hope Town being some of our favorite places to go and have met some of the nicest people there,” said Chas Bruck, co-owner for The Heights District, Armature Works and BE1 Concepts. “We feel for all those affected by Hurricane Dorian and wanted to provide immediate help to those families in need, most specifically young children.”

All those donating will be given a voucher good for 10 percent off at all Armature Works concepts and any of the Armature Works family of restaurants.

In addition, Chas and Taryn Bruck, through The Bruck Family Foundation, a nonprofit organization, will match any donated items received during this drive.

St. Pete businessman John Auer has offered to match donations from individuals dollar for dollar up to $500,000 for the next two weeks.

Monetary donations can be made on the website or to Sol Relief's Paypal account.

Items on the wish list:

• Generators
• Extension Cords
• Work Gloves
• Chainsaws and Chains
• Chainsaw Bar Oil
• Gas Cans
• Duct Tape
• Tarps
• Hammers and Nails
• Battery-Operated Fans
• Batteries
• Flashlights
• Bug Spray
• Mosquito Nets
• Unused Blankets
• Cleaning Supplies
• Nonperishable Food
• Hygiene Products
• Baby Supplies
• Pet Food
• OTC Medical Supplies
• Solar Phone Chargers
• Phone Battery Packs
• Cleaning Products
• Trash Bags
• Disinfecting Wipes
• Sunscreen
• Camping Lights (Solar and Battery Powered)

See related story: Outpouring Of Donations To Bahamas Pet Shelters 'Unbelievable'