The People of St Maarten Need Our Help

The St Maarten resorts we know and love are in shambles following Hurricane Irma.

Last week one of our favorite poker destinations was flattened by Hurricane Irma. The category 5+ storm tore into several islands in the Caribbean with 185 mile per hour winds, ripping roofs off buildings, flattening homes and filling streets with trees and debris. The Sonesta Maho Resort which was to host the WSOPC St Maarten in November has had to close.  The badly damaged hotel has had to cancel all reservations.  The casino across the street was also badly damaged and is closed.  So the WSOPC has been officially cancelled.

Sad news for us -- but even sadder for the locals.  Not only is their island and home destroyed but now the resort they worked in is closed.  Tough times  :(

The island has started the long process of re-building after the storm, but they need help. Water, food and medicine and rebuilding infrastructure all cost money. We're told that the best thing we can do to help St Maarten is to send financial aid.

The Netherlands has been offering a lot of aid on the island and the Dutch Red Cross has opened a special account to raise funds for further aid.  If you can handle the Dutch website you can donate here.

Globalgiving.org’s Hurricane Irma Relief Fund accepts online donations and their website is in English.