Six days after Hurricane Maria the people of Puerto Rico are still reeling from the devastation and destruction Maria made of their home.
Most of the island’s 3.4 million residents remain without power, and with little hope of getting electricity back anytime soon. The catastrophic damage looks more like a scene from a post apocalyptic film than anything Americans are used to seeing Americans suffer in.
Puerto Ricans are Americans. The fact I must write that here is sad.
Unfortunately a poll of 2,200 adults by Morning Consult found that only 54 percent of Americans know that people born in Puerto Rico, a commonwealth of the United States, are U.S. citizens.
This knowledge is important as more than 8 in 10 Americans who know Puerto Ricans are citizens support sending aid, compared with only 4 in 10 of those who do not. Thankfully Florida has close ties with Puerto Rico and the knowledge that they are our fellow citizens is not lost on us.
Gov. Scott, will travel Thursday to Puerto Rico to help coordinate response and recovery. The Governor will be joined by the Adjutant General of the Florida National Guard, Major General Michael Calhoun, the Commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and emergency management officials from the state to help determine the response and recovery that needs to be done.
Earlier today, Florida National Guard members and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers were put on standby if needed to assist with the relief efforts.
As each day passes, the need for food, water, other supplies and medical help grows. There are major efforts underway all across the State of Florida to collect supplies for Puerto Rico.
In Jacksonville you can drop off donated supplies this weekend.
Saturday, across from Oakleaf Elementary School, at the athletic fields. 370 Oakleaf Village Parkway, Orange Park, FL 32065. Flightstar Aircraft Services will be collecting supplies. The items most in need are: Water, Non-Perishable Food, Batteries, Kitchen Paper/Plastic Products, Baby Toiletries, Toiletries, Clean Up Supplies, Pet Food/Litter. The community can drop off items from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday El Taino Bar and Restaurant located at 4347 University Blvd S, Jacksonville, FL 32216 will be accepting donations until 10 pm.
The Italian American Club in Palm Coast is hosting a fundraiser Saturday night from 6 p.m. to midnight. The club is charging $25 per person, all of which goes to relief efforts.
Sunday, the Puerto Rican and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will be hosting an event at the Jacksonville Landing. It runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The group is asking for hygiene products, utility items, like flashlights and tarps, water, and summer clothes.
Other ways you help
In Puerto Rico: Puerto Rico’s first lady Beatriz Roselló set up Unidos por Puerto Rico to connect the private sector to those in need. Donations can be sent in a variety of ways, including PayPal.
Another option in Puerto Rico is ConPRmetidos,which shifted its focus from innovation to helping victims of Hurricanes Maria and Irma. They are accepting donations here.
In the New York area: The Hispanic Federation teamed up with New York politicians including the mayor and members of Congress to launch “Unidos”: A Hurricane Relief Fund for Hurricane Maria Victims in Puerto Rico, which will give 100% of its proceeds to hurricane relief and recovery efforts. Per the website, to donate via text, text to number 41444. Type UNIDOS (space) YOUR AMOUNT (space) and YOUR NAME. (For example: Unidos 100 John Doe) Then press “send” and click on the link to complete your donation. Or just donate here.
In the Miami area: The Puerto Rican Leadership Council is accepting donations of nonperishable food, water, and clothing at several locations. The Miami Herald has the details.
In the Philadelphia area: Nonprofit group El Concilio has launched Unidos PA Puerto Rico to raise money for hurricane relief.
Around the country: the Salvation Army is accepting hurricane relief donations.
GoFundMe created a central page for Hurricane Maria relief campaigns, check it out here.
Crowdfunding site GlobalGiving, which connects donors to nonprofits and companies around the world, will focus on immediate needs of victims and on longer-term recovery efforts “run by local, vetted organizations,” per the website.
Don’t just give to give, though. Do a little research. Charity Navigator is a good resource for picking the right charity.
Donate Points and Miles
Several frequent flyer programs give you the option to donate your points and miles — they can be used for more than just travel. In some cases, airlines may offer you the opportunity to earn bonus miles for your donation. Here are some of the airlines allowing you to donate your points or miles:
American — You can donate you miles in 1,000-mile increments to the airline’s donation program, which supports humanitarian efforts around the country.
Delta — Donate your SkyMiles through the Delta SkyWish website in order to help a number of organizations, such as the Red Cross.
Southwest — You can donate at least 2,000 Rapid Rewards points and in increments of 500 points thereafter through the Rapid Rewards donation program.
United — Through United’s MileagePlus charity program, you can make mile donations. You must donate at least 1,000 miles via the MileagePlus Service Center the or by calling 1-800-421-4655.
Donate Your Time
At this time, first responders are still arriving on the island to provide immediate and crucial relief. So, right now, it’s not advised for volunteers to head to Puerto Rico to donate their time. However, in the coming weeks, months and years, the island will be in great need for volunteers as residents try to recover from the storm and return to normal life.
Puerto Rico’s VOAD is asking potential volunteers to remain out of the island for now, but it is offering to contact you when volunteers are needed. You can register on the organization’s site now, and once disaster relief organizations have had the time to assess damage and identify where help is most needed, you could be called on to help with the recovery efforts.
Puerto Rico is in dire need of help following the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria. In order to get back on its feet, it’s going to take time and effort. Any bit you can donate will help to make a difference in getting the island and its people on the road to recovery.
Please remember;
“No one can do everything, but everyone can do something”
~Max Lucado