CAMBRIDGE — When Category 4 Hurricane Laura came ashore in Louisiana two weeks ago, it brought devastating damage to Cameron Parish. The area is well known to many in Dorchester, as the site of the annual Louisiana Fur and Wildlife Festival.

The hurricane made landfall Aug. 27, near Cameron. It was the tenth-strongest U.S. hurricane landfall by windspeed on record.
The storm caused the deaths of at least 32 people in the U.S. and an estimated $8.7 billion in damage in Louisiana and Texas.

For many years, organizers and participants in the National Outdoor Show have been in contact with their counterparts in Louisiana, with Queens and their courts trading visits and appearances at the events. In the course of these activities, deep friendships have been formed.
“We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone…And we need your help,” a statement from the Outdoor Show said last week. The Louisianans local friends went into action, collecting supplies and building sheds in which to store them after delivery.

“Our committee members and friends are busy getting the first load of sheds constructed,” a statement from the National Outdoor Show said on Thursday. “We are headed to Louisiana this Saturday (Sept. 12) with 10 sheds and supplies that have been generously donated from our communities. There will be another trip in the next few weeks to deliver more sheds and supplies, so if you would still like to donate, there is time. Remember, some of these folks in Louisiana are driving two to three hours for supplies. Please see the list below if you would like to donate. If you have any questions, please let us know.”

NEEDED ITEMS ARE:
Totes, Extension Cords, Fans, Gas Cans, Batteries, Mosquito spray and Ant Spray, Heavy duty trash bags, Heavy duty Brooms, Rakes, Shovels and Mops, Hammers, Nails, Furring Strips ( to secure tarps to roofs), Manual Can Openers, Dog and Cat Food, Bleach and Bleach wipes, Gloves and Mask to clean mold, Bleach and Bleach wipes, Damp Rid, Paper Towels, Toilet Paper, Hygiene Items, Washing Powder, Diapers, Any cleaning supplies, Zip Lock bags-all sizes, clean clothes, Gatorade/Water, Non-perishable food, Small camping stoves.
“If you would like to purchase a tote and fill it that would be great,” the statement said. “We have drop-off locations for goods at the following businesses”: Old Salty’s (Hoopers Island); Clayton’s Pharmacy (Washington St., Cambridge); - Madden Maryland (Race Street, Cambridge); and Pritchett’s Grocery (Bishops Head)

“When I became the 2020 Miss Outdoors, I met the most wonderful people from Cameron Parish,” Kyla Paige said in a statement. “I have customized a Puravida bracelet with Mardi Gras colors that will be our #CameronParishStrong bracelets. They will be $7.50 ($8 if we need to ship them) and all the proceeds go to the Outdoor Show’s Hurricane Laura Relief. We are ordering 100 bracelets so it will be “first come, first serve” and I will PM those interested in buying.”
To make a monetary donation make checks payable to:
The National Outdoor Show
PO Box 42
Cambridge, MD 21613
PLEASE write Hurricane Laura Relief on memo line

The Outdoor Show can be reached through their Facebook page or by calling (410) 397-8835.