What a year it has been. One year ago this month, the Virgin Islands were struck by Hurricane Irma, one of the most powerful Atlantic Ocean hurricanes to ever make landfall. After breathing a collective sigh of relief, feeling very fortunate, the rapidly approaching Maria, yet another Category 5 hurricane, slammed us just two weeks later.
In many ways, the love and support we received from YOU, our extended community of Bolongo friends and family, helped us get through the recovery process in real and significant ways.
You were a lifeline for our staff members immediately following the storm, helping us to raise over $50,000 for our employee relief fund. Others of you trusted us and allowed us to retain over $300,000 in Advance Deposits for your future visits. So many people told us Not to Refund the money to them. Are you kidding me?! That was incredible.
Your kindness and concern, displayed over and over again, was a welcome beam of sunshine and it encouraged us to keep moving. And with no phone service, but with the internet, your emails and social media posts, many with photos of your past vacations with us were a joy to read and look at. You let us see that your times at Bolongo were much more than “just a hotel.”
Through it all, we’ve continued our tradition of deeply committed community involvement and strived to be good stewards of the resources we have.
In the last year, we housed FEMA workers and Customs agents and the dedicated Linemen who helped bring back electricity. Most importantly, we were able to house and feed many displaced local Virgin Islanders, our neighbors, for 135 days.
No one could have predicted this last year; that’s not up to us. What is up to us, is what we do with the time we’re given. We hope you will look back proudly at how much you gave us; inspiration and encouragement as well as financial assistance. Wow. Amazing. Really. This unique recovery story continues to unfold; we’re not there yet but get closer every day.
We’re optimistic, excited, and honored to continue sharing it with you.
Thank you so much, from everyone here at Bolongo Bay, from the bottom of our hearts. We love you all.
Very truly and sincerely,
Your friends at Bolongo Bay Beach Resort
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