A South Florida motorcycle club has turned compassion into action, rallying its riders to support Hurricane Melissa survivors in Jamaica and sparking a wider community push for relief.
Over the weekend, members of the Heavy Breathers Motorcycle Club Miami rolled into the Broward County Library’s Miramar branch with boxes of water, diapers, wipes, canned goods, and other essential supplies for families still reeling after the storm.
Club president Brad “Timeless” Blackman said the devastation he saw in photos and videos coming out of Jamaica pushed him to mobilize his team.
“I was devastated by the amount they lost,” Blackman said. “People lost homes. I felt more than obligated to give back.”
Blackman, who was born in the U.S. but has Jamaican roots, coordinated with the Motorcycle Federation Presidents Council in Miami and partnered with groups including Least the Saints MC to gather relief items.
Broward County Commissioner Alexandra P. Davis greeted the riders as they arrived with their delivery. Davis has been helping coordinate the county’s response, and Broward — home to thousands of Jamaican nationals — has quickly become a hub for local relief efforts. On X, she wrote, “As a County we are still collecting items for Hurricane Melissa victims…grateful that the Heavy Breathers Motorcycle Club dropped off well needed supplies to our library in Miramar! Thank you for your kindness!”
Broward County has opened multiple drop-off sites for residents who want to pitch in.
Donation drop-off locations include:
Broward County Libraries
• South Regional/Broward College Library, Pembroke Pines: Mon–Wed 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Thurs–Sun 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
• Miramar Branch Library & Education Center: Wed 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Thurs–Sat 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; beginning Nov. 3: Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
• West Regional Library, Plantation: Mon–Wed 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Thurs–Sun 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
• Southwest Regional Library, Pembroke Pines: Mon–Wed 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Thurs–Sun 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Broward County Parks
• Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium, Lauderhill: Daily 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Tradewinds Park & Stables, Coconut Creek: Daily 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
As Jamaica continues its recovery, county officials say they expect the flow of community donations to grow — thanks in part to a group of riders who answered the call for help.
