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As the extent of the damage caused by Hurricane Maria becomes clear, Minnesotans are being urged to support relief efforts in Puerto Rico, which took the brunt of the storm.
Among those urging action is Javier Morillo, president of Service Employees International Union Local 26, a Minnesotan from Puerto Rico. Speaking Wednesday on Minnesota Public Radio, he urged people to donate to hurricane relief and call on their lawmakers to act quickly to avert a humanitarian disaster.
Morillo also is helping to coordinate the collection of medicine, bottled water and other badly needed supplies through his Twitter account, @javimorillo
Morillo’s parents and sister live on Puerto Rico, where the hurricane knocked out all electricity and has led to shortages of fuel and food. Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello told news media the island is facing an “unprecedented disaster.”
Morillo urged Minnesotans to contact their members of Congress and urge them to act quickly on relief.
In addition, donations can be made through:
Hurricane Maria Community Recovery Fund
Low-income communities of color often face the worst destruction and slowest recovery and have fewer resources to safeguard homes, vehicles, and other property. When the winds die down and the floods recede, these communities are often forgotten by reconstruction efforts, and underserved by insurance companies. The Hurricane Maria Community Relief & Recovery Fund will be housed at the Center for Popular Democracy (CPD). One hundred percent of monies raised will be used to support immediate relief, recovery, and equitable rebuilding in Puerto Rico for the communities hit hardest by the storm. The Fund is governed by organizations like Puerto Rico-based Taller Salud, the G8 of Caño Martín Peña, and other local, grassroots organizations. The Fund will support organizations working with these hardest hit communities in Puerto Rico.
El Fondo Boricua, a fund of the St. Paul Foundation
Funds donated to El Fondo Boricua are collected and distributed by the Saint Paul Foundation, which will be granted to non-profits in Puerto Rico such as: Fondos Unidos de Puerto Rico,to help with the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. The island of Puerto Rico has been dealing with an economical crisis before the hurricanes hit and it’s most important now to educate and help the people of the island during this catastrophe. St. Paul Foundation will distribute all donations made to El Fondo Boricua. Donations will be going directly to assist with, by and for the people of Puerto Rico who are victims of this horrible catastrophe .
Donations of $250 will be matched by SotaRico, LLC through Oct. 19, 2017.