This weekend, many parts of Connecticut will host fundraisers, blood drives and other events, as part of the ongoing effort to bring relief and resources to the people of Puerto Rico.
Pastor Yolanda Hernandez, president of the Association of Hispanic Pastors in Greater Bridgeport, says this Sunday the Association will hold a fundraiser at Church of God Center of Life in Bridgeport. They are partnering with a group called Convoy of Hope.
“What they’re going to do is they’re going to take whatever funds we have to give them and they’re going to multiply it by eight – which is the amount of merchandise that they’re going to buy to be able to take to Puerto Rico.”
Pastor Hernandez says they will also receive a report by December that will detail how the money was used and how the resources were distributed.
Hernandez has family in Puerto Rico who were hit hard by Hurricane Maria. Two of her brothers-in-law lost their homes and another lost his business. She says her family is running low on food.
“What they do is they only have one meal a day in order to be able to extend the supply that they have. And then they share a power generator because my brother-in-law has a baby, he’s about 6-months-old, that has a breathing tube so he needs some electricity to be able to provide for his grandson.”
The fundraiser will run from 9 am to 2:30 p.m. They will hold more on Monday and Tuesday.
Below is a list of other events and organizations that are working on the relief effort:
Events in Bridgeport and Hartford
- GBLN/Red Cross blood drive for Hispanic Heritage
Saturday, Sept 30
http://gbln.net/gblnred-cross-blood-drive-hispanic-heritage-saturday-sept-30/
- Council of Churches is accepting monetary donations for Convey of Hope at Church of God Center of Life, 594 Harral Avenue, Bridgeport, CT. Drop-off times are: from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays; 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays; and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Housatonic Community College in downtown Bridgeport has set up two drop-off points where you can donate water and non-perishable food items to Puerto Rico. 900 Lafayette Boulevard, Bridgeport, CT 06604
They will be loaded on cargo ships and commercial planes when HCC is able to connect with them. The two points are:- Lafayette Hall Atrium in front of Public Safety (against the wall)
- Beacon Hall Atrium in front of Public Safety (against the wall)
Greater Bridgeport United and Puerto Rican Parade of Fairfield County, Inc., present Puerto Rico Relief on Saturday, Sept, 30, from 9 am. to 5 p.m. at the East Side Senior Center, 1053 E. Main St., Bridgeport, CT, on the corner of Arctic Street.
Make checks payable to the American Red Cross, but on the memo, please write GBU for Puerto Rico Relief.
This effort is the result of a partnership with the Bridgeport Fire Dept., Bridgeport Police Dept. Hispanic Society, City of Bridgeport EOC, Radio Cumbre 1450 A.M., American Red Cross, Puerto Rican Parade of Fairfield County, City of Bridgeport Communications Dept.
A telethon to be broadcast on Bomba radio, 104.5 FM, will accept cash and provisions to help the people in Puerto Rico, devastated by Hurricane Maria.
During the telethon, CTBPT-United for PR will accept donations of water, medicine, waterproof solar flashlights, sanitary napkins, powdered milk, diapers, wipes, generators and chainsaws. The dropoff point is Sazon Y Mambo, 1691 Main St., Bridgeport.
The telethon and dropoffs are both between 1 and 6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 1.
- Madrinas Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
This event is now a fundraiser to benefit PR relief efforts.
Friday October 6th, 2017, 7:30pm Liceo Cubano
2790 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06605
For more information contact: Susie Laffitte 203-218-9471, Iris Cordero Taylor 203-913-4211, Anna C. Cruz 203-526-3989
- CT Restaurant Industry Fundraiser for Puerto Rico
Real Art Ways, 56 Arbor St, Hartford, CT Suggested $20 donation, 5:00 p.m. -1:00 a.m.
- Hartford Baking Company
Two locations: 625 New Park Ave, West Hartford, CT and 965 Farmington Ave, West Hartford, CT
10 percent of its sales from Oct. 2 to 6 to Americares Hurricane Maria Relief Fund.
Organizations
Many of these organizations are asking for cash, rather than supplies, so they can route help to where it’s needed more quickly.
- Save the Children, which focuses specifically on the needs of families and their children.
- Global Giving has a $2 million goal for victims of Hurricane Maria
- United for Puerto Rico (spearheaded by the First Lady of Puerto Rico)
