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SUNTREE, Fla. — November 24, 2025 — A local country club has turned compassion into action after Hurricane Melissa devastated parts of Jamaica, including the hometown of Suntree Country Club’s Executive Chef, Dean Lee.
What began as Chef Lee’s personal mission to help family and neighbors quickly grew into a full-scale relief effort supported by the entire Suntree Country Club community. In just six days, members and staff raised more than nine thousand dollars to purchase nonperishable supplies for families struggling in the storm’s aftermath.
“We are incredibly grateful to our members and partners who came together so quickly to make this effort possible,” Chef Lee said. “Seeing the outpouring of support from the Suntree community means the world to me and to the families in Jamaica who will benefit from it.”
To make the mission possible, the club partnered with major food service vendors including Cheney Brothers, Inc. and Sysco, who helped supply goods and coordinate logistics. The donated items were air-shipped directly to Jamaica, where Chef Lee traveled from November 17 through 20 to personally assist with distributing supplies on the western side of the island.
Suntree Country Club General Manager Rob Stone praised both Lee and the hundreds of residents who acted fast to support the cause.
“Chef Lee’s compassion and leadership inspired our entire community. This initiative demonstrates what can be achieved when we come together with a shared purpose to make a meaningful difference,” Stone said.
The club expressed its appreciation to members, partners, and vendors who contributed to the relief effort. Organizers say the support has already provided meaningful help to families working to rebuild after the storm.
