When the Storm Hits Home – The IRAL Aid Run to Jamaica

When Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica in October 2025, the winds didn’t just sweep across the island — they reached all the way to Steinbach, Manitoba, where one man’s heart was breaking for his homeland.

Neville Hamilton, founder of IRAL and IRAL Creatives Steinbach Inc., watched helplessly as reports flooded in from St. Catherine — the community he grew up in.

“It’s heartbreaking,” he said. “My family is there. The people I grew up with, the church I helped rebuild. Now, everything is being tested again. It’s one of the strongest storms to ever hit Jamaica in my lifetime.”

Before the storm, Neville’s concern was already rising. He recalled the panic before landfall — supermarkets emptied, zinc roofs weighed down with concrete blocks, families bracing for the worst. “We usually use zinc roofing in Jamaica,” he explained. “So everyone starts putting weight on them, using sandbags and blocks. My family was doing that, just praying for safety.”

The memories brought back Hurricane Gilbert, another Category 5 storm from 37 years ago — but this time, Neville says, Melissa’s power was even greater.

And when the winds finally died down, the images that emerged were devastating. Roads ripped apart. Homes flattened. Hospitals — places of refuge — reduced to rubble. “Even some of the places people would normally run for safety were destroyed,” Neville said. “It’s going to take serious effort to get Jamaica back on its feet again.”

From Steinbach, he knew he couldn’t just watch. He had to act.

That’s when the IRAL Aid Run to Jamaica took shape — a humanitarian campaign led by IRAL and its youth division, IRAL Creatives Steinbach Inc. The plan is ambitious but simple: raise enough funds to purchase a shipping container and fill it with essential supplies — food, water, medical kits, hygiene items, tents, sleeping bags, and other necessities.

“We’re not just talking about family,” Neville said. “We’re talking about people all over Jamaica who have lost everything — people who don’t have the means to rebuild. This is for them.”

Neville believes that Jamaica has always given so much to the world — its culture, warmth, music, and hospitality — and now it’s time for the world to give back.

“Jamaica has always been that comfort spot for visitors — the beaches, the food, the culture,” he reflected. “Now Jamaica needs us. It’s our turn to show up for them.”

Through the IRAL Aid Run, the team is inviting Steinbach residents and Canadians everywhere to help make a real difference. Donations, supplies, and even small contributions can help fill that container and send a message of love and solidarity across the sea.

“Steinbach has always been a generous community,” Neville added. “We’re inviting our neighbours, churches, schools, and local businesses to come together. Every little bit counts. Together, we can lift Jamaica back to its feet.”

The IRAL Aid Run is more than an act of charity — it’s a continuation of IRAL’s mission to build bridges between cultures and communities through compassion, creativity, and action.

As Jamaica rebuilds, one roof, one meal, and one smile at a time, the team at IRAL reminds us of a timeless truth: when one of us hurts, we all do — and when we rise, we rise together.

To contribute or learn more about how to support the IRAL Aid Run to Jamaica, visit https://www.iralcreatives.ca/donate or contact the IRAL Creatives team directly. Additional source links: https://steinbachonline.com/articles/steinbach-resident-rallying-support-for-jamaica-after-hurricane- https://steinbachonline.com/articles/steinbach-man-fears-for-family-as-hurricane-melissa-nears-jamaica