Troy University student Ava Barrett waited anxiously as Hurricane Dorian battered the Bahamas on September 1 as a Category 5 storm, the hardest ever to hit the island community.

Her brother was there on the island as the storm caused chaos and destruction at the islands. Like many there, he had been told he should evacuate, but chose to stuck it out.

Fortunately, Barrett’s brother did soon reach her, and all of her family was safe – but Barrett knows that’s not the case for many on her home island.

So she and other Troy students have organized a relief effort to get much-needed supplies to the Bahamas.

A collection table will be set up today from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Dorothy Kelly Adams Center on the Tory University campus, also known as Trojan Center. There will also be a tent for the relief efforts at Saturday’s game between the Trojans and Southern Miss, and Barrett asked all fans and members of the community to stop by and bring whatever they can.

The group has identified some specific items of need right now in the community.

Items include: chainsaws, tents, medical supplies, butane canisters, solar powered chargers, generators, gas stove tops, tarps, bedding, cleaning supplies, baby formula, water purification tablets, pet food, shovels, water, non-perishable food items, towels, shoes, mosquito repellent, toiletries, flashlights, pillows, hand sanitizer, batteries, garbage bags – or anything else that someone could need.

“Many of these people have lost everything,” Barrett said.

After the game, donations can continue to be dropped off at the International Student Center on campus.