From FFVA archival documents, 1955

FFVA BOARD EARMARKS FUNDS FOR HURRICANE RELIEF

Hurricane Janet tore through the West Indies and Central America in September 1955, at times reaching category 5 strength as we now measure hurricanes. Here, residents do what they can to clean up the rubble of Corozal Town in Belize. Photo credit: Corozal.com

Following FFVA's Annual Membership meeting on October 5, 1955 in Miami Beach, the Board of Directors met to elect officers and discuss the annual budget. They adjourned several hours later, agreeing to get together again October 28 to address unfinished business. At that later meeting, newly elected secretary-treasurer Joffre David read a letter from a gentleman named Ronald Tree. It contained an appeal for donations to areas of the British West Indies, which had been devastated by a hurricane on September 22. Mr. Tree had visited the area shortly after the storm passed.

"No words can describe the devastation as I have just witnessed it," Mr. David read from the letter. "It is worse than any bomb damage I saw in the war. The immediate problem is, of course, funds to buy food, tents, household appliances … Funds are needed to rebuild homes, to restore roads. Perhaps more horrifying still is the long-range problem of re-establishing a livelihood for these hapless people. As an employer of West Indian labor, you are doubtless interested in their welfare. That is why I earnestly come to you for help …"

On October 28, 1955, Executive Committee Member Luther Chandler moved that $1,000 be contributed to areas of the West Indies impacted by hurricane damage. The other directors voted for the contribution.

Mr. David told the other directors that since the Association is a user of labor from the stricken areas, "there exists a real, as well as a moral obligation, because the workers contribute a portion of their earnings to offset the cost of the labor program."

He suggested that if the Board decided to make a contribution, it be sent to the chief liaison officer of the BWI Central Labour Organization for remittance to the governor of the affected island, as was being done by some northern employers.

Executive Committee Member Luther Chandler moved that $1,000 be contributed to the Hurricane Janet Relief Fund. The other directors agreed.

FFVA's 1955 Annual Meeting took place at the Fountainbleu in Miami.

To learn more about Hurricane Janet, click here

Or click here for a map of the hurricane's path.