Creating a shelter today for a Safe Haven tomorrow

The story of the Cargill Creek Foundation began with a vision—a vision that was dreamt of for over nine years by two men who were born and raised on the very shores they now call home. Andy Smith and Charlie Neymour, two of Andros Island’s most respected bone fishermen, had spent decades building successful lives for themselves, driven by a passion for the sea and the community that supported them. But after years of personal success, they found themselves asking one simple question: How can we give back in a way that truly matters?

It was not enough for Andy and Charlie to make personal donations or lend one-time support. They wanted to do more. They wanted to create something that would live on long after they were gone—a legacy that would touch the lives of not just today’s generation, but the generations to come.

In 2016, their resolve was solidified. Hurricane Matthew tore through the islands, leaving the Cargill Creek township which includes the settlements of Bowen Sound, Man O' War Sound, Cargill Creek, Behring Point and Coakley Bight devastated. The storm crippled the area, leaving families without basic necessities—most painfully, without access to clean drinking water. The only available source was a single spigot at the entrance of the AUTEC Navy base. Weeks went by, and the people of Cargill Creek were forced to endure, but it was clear to Andy and Charlie: Something had to change.

In the midst of the wreckage, with homes destroyed and livelihoods shattered, Andy and Charlie made a promise. They would build a hurricane shelter—one that was more than just a refuge during storms. It would be a symbol of resilience, a place where the community could find not only safety but hope, resources, and opportunity. "Water should never be hard to find," Andy often says. "Everybody needs clean water." And so, the vision for the Cargill Creek Foundation was born.

The foundation’s mission is simple but powerful: To ensure that Cargill Creek never faces another disaster without the tools to survive and thrive. The shelter, equipped with the basic needs during times of crisis, will serve as a community hub, a place where the people of Cargill Creek can come together, connect, and rebuild—not just physically, but emotionally and mentally. It will provide computers, internet access, and educational resources—giving young people a chance to access the opportunities that many elsewhere take for granted. In times of peace, it will be a center for learning, for growth, for preparing the next generation for a world that awaits them beyond the shores of Andros Island.

This is not just a building. It is a vision made real. It is hope made tangible. It is a promise that the people of Cargill Creek deserve the same opportunities as anyone else—no matter their circumstances, no matter the storms they weather. This is a gift to the future, a foundation built to inspire, empower, and give back for generations to come.

What Andy and Charlie started as a dream is now an unwavering commitment—a promise to their community that no matter what happens, no matter how many storms may come, Cargill Creek Township will never be left behind.