Community Organizing Hurricane Relief for Puerto Rico

After the devastating impact of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico, people are rallying to send help. The massive storm directly hit the island and left a wake of destruction in its path.

State Rep. Bobby Sanchez (D-25) and other Latino state legislators continued their efforts to raise money for hurricane relief, begun after the damage caused by Hurricane Irma a short time ago. The effort now has an increased urgency after the most recent storm. Donations can be made at to the “Hurricane Maria Puerto Rico Relief Fund” at the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain.

The Puerto Rican Society of New Britain is also organizing donations of supplies for the hurricane relief.

The Society is rallying the community with the theme “Puerto Rico Se Levanta.” Donations have already been accepted at the Society, which is at 152 High Street. Donations are being accepted in the afternoon on September 24th.

For more information on how to donate through the Puerto Rican Society, the Society’s President, Maggie De Jesus, can be reached at 860-249-4248.

Another relief effort is being carried out by the New Britain Spanish Second Day Adventist Church, Iglesia Adventista del Séptimo Día, at 94 West Main Street. The Church, led by Pastor Edgardo Herrera, held a drive for goods and supplies for Puerto Rico on Saturday, September 23, 2017 and will continue the effort on Saturday, September 30th, from 9:30am to 3:00pm at the Church.

Supplies requested for donation include non-perishable or canned, meats, soups, beans, vegetables, tomato sauce, rice, dried pasta, dried mashed potatoes, salt and other seasonings and baby food and baby formula.

Needed first aid supplies include band aids, gauze bandages, gauze dressings, nitrile gloves, sizes M, L & XL, hydrocortizone cream, burn cream, triple antibiotic cream, hand sanitizer and insect repellent.

Clothing donations requested should be only be new clothes, including summer shoes in good condition, underwear for men, women and children and summer pajamas. Pillows, blankets and towels are also requested.

Needed personal hygiene items include shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, combs and hairbrushes.

The contact information for the New Britain Spanish Second Day Adventist Church are (256) 658-7381 for Pastor Herrera, (860) 888-6821 for Carmelo Rivera and (203) 721- 2776 for Daniel Aviles.

St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church is also accepting donations, both for hurricane relief for Puerto Rico and for relief for people in Mexico after the deadly and disastrous earthquake that recently struck Mexico City. A message on its Facebook page says, “From Father Israel I inform you that we will be collecting donations for Mexico and Puerto Rico. Items needed: wipes, water, Advil, Tylenol, diapers and toiletries. These donations can be brought directly to the Church. Financial donations can be placed in the offering during Holy Mass. We also need a team to help us organize donations. Everything will be sent through the Archdiocese. We will keep the Community informed of the progress of the proceeds. Thank you very much. May God bless all your generosity.”

St. Mary’s Church is at 544 Main Street.

Editor’s note (9/24/2017): Additional information was added on donations through St. Mary’s Church and the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain.