Funds for Mama Jade
Friends, today I must ask you to tune back in to the continued struggle of Puerto Rico. I need your help to care for my amazing mother, Noemi Peña Santiago, who is still living in horrific conditions in Puerto Rico after the devastation of Hurricane Irma. Our family home remains without consistent water or electricity. The extent of damage across Puerto Rico and the slow response of relief efforts has left my mother without even basic necessities. My mother suffers from fibromyalgia and agoraphobia, which is why I am doing everything I can to support her. I'm asking everyone I know to give what you can to help us through this very difficult time. Our priorities are:
WATER: Water is *still* the scarcest resource in Puerto Rico - weeks after the hurricane. People steal the water that is shipped in for relief and resell it on the streets for $20-$50 per case. With cash, my mother can secure bottled water when it is available, and with a stove and fuel, she can boil what other water is available to make it drinkable. (You can read more about the water diseases impacting the people of Puerto Rico here: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-puerto-rico-hurricane-maria-aftermath-20171011-story.html)
BASIC NECESSITIES: To avoid riots, whatever very few stores open at certain hours allowing only a certain amount of people allowed in at a time. People wait for hours to enter a store, and still they see almost empty shelves. With cash, however, my mother can purchase these items to get through this month:
Generator (5,000 Watts): $600
Small Gas Stove: $250
Diesel fuel: $20/gallon
Water Bottles: $3 to $5
Groceries/Meat: $250
Toilet Paper: $4
Soap: $2 to $3
Shampoo: $1 to $2
Candles: $2 to $3
Extention Cord (25ft.): $23
Batteries (D): $3
First Aid Kit: $5 to $10
Mosquito Repelent: $4 to $5
Fan: $20 to $30
Toothpaste: $2
This makes our goal just over $1000. I'm asking you again, please give whatever you can. My family, my mother, and I will be forever in your debt.
If you cannot give to this Go Fund Me, please consider attending one of my benefit performances. I've already held 4 events and sent all proceeds to Puerto Rico. Stay tuned here for announcements about future benefit performances. You can always tip me here!
Thank you all for standing with me, helping to see my mom Noemi through this disaster, and for caring about the people of Puerto Rico. Many blessings,
David Jade Sotomayor
