NEW YORK, N.Y., Wed. Sept. 22: More than 600 boxes of water, food, medical supplies and clothing have so far been collected by The Caribbean-American Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc., but the plea for more assistance remains as the islands devastated by Hurricane Ivan try to rebuild. Next Wednesday, September 29, CAACI has announced that its September membership power breakfast business networking meeting will focus on emergency assistance and rebuilding efforts for islands affected by Hurricane Ivan which include Grenada, Jamaica, Tobago, Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Cayman Islands and the Bahamas. The meeting is set for 8:30 a.m. at Brooklyn Borough Hall. In order to garner support for additional disaster relief and to discuss long term rebuilding efforts, CACCI officials say they will will bring together representatives from Caribbean missions and consulates from Grenada and Jamaica, and the Caribbean American leadership in the Diaspora in the tri-state area, offices of the NYS Governor, NYC Mayor, Brooklyn Borough President, NYC Council Speaker and council members, NYS and NYC Comptrollers, United States government agencies and representatives, CARICOM, NYC Public Advocate, Office of the Brooklyn DA, other elected officials, Fortune 500 companies, CACCI members in Corporate America and small businesses, and numerous Chambers of Commerce and CACCI member banks. Roy A. Hastick, Sr., president and CEO of the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, “Numerous individuals from all walks of life responded immediately to our appeal, by visiting our drop-off site, donating relief items, and volunteering time which enabled us to send badly needed relief items to Grenada. “We are continuing our relief efforts by widening our appeal to include Jamaica. We are asking CACCI members, friends and the wider community to continue to assist us at this time of extreme tragedy, death, loss of property and homelessness.” Next week’s meeting is open to CACCI members and the business community but pre-registration is required. For further information, contact CACCI at (718) 834-4544. Meanwhile, the New York City Fire Department joined the Department of Immigrant Affairs in designating nine firehouses in Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx, as collection points for non-perishable foods. The firehouses in Brooklyn are: Battalion 41 / Engine Company 248 – 2900 Snyder Avenue – Flatbush, Engine Company 255 / Ladder Company 157 – 1367 Rogers Avenue – Flatbush, Battalion 58 / Engine Company 257 / Ladder Company 170 – 1361 Rockaway Parkway – Canarsie and Battalion 38 / Engine Company 234 / Ladder Company 123 --1352 St. John’s Place – Crown Heights. In Queens, Engine Company 303 / Ladder Company 126 – 104-12 Princeton Street – South Jamaica, Engine Company 317/ Ladder Company 165 / Battalion 54 – 117-11 196 th Street – St. Albans and Engine Company 311 / Ladder Company 158 – 145-50 Springfield Blvd – Springfield Gardens. And in the Bronx, Engine Company 62 / Ladder Company 32 – 3431 White Plains Road – Williamsbridge and Battalion 15 / Engine Company 63 -- 755 E. 233 rd Street – Wakefield. – There is a need for canned and non-perishable food as well as medical supplies such as Tetanus vaccine, Ampicillin, Amoxicillin, Erythromycin, Gauze, tape, antihypertensive medications (HCTZ, Aldomet, Diuretics), diabetic medications (Glucophage, glyburide), glucometers and strips, Blood pressure cuffs, Stethoscopes, alcohol and alcohol pads, cotton, betadine, batteries (AA, C, D), autoclaves, sterilizers, infant formula, pedialyte, personal hygiene items (sanitary pads, toilet paper, soap), diapers, syringes, needles, bed sheets, arm slings and water treatment tablets. For more information log on to: http://www.grenadaconsulate.org/index2.html. SOURCE: HARDBEATNEWS.COM