In recent days, a devastating tragedy struck the community of Playa Grande, La Guaira, Venezuela. Families have lost loved ones, homes, businesses, and everything they worked so hard to build. Many people are still missing, others remain hospitalized, and rescue efforts continue as this community faces one of the most difficult moments in its history.
This campaign supports the relief effort being led by Armando Planchart, a Venezuelan who grew up in Playa Grande and is now coordinating humanitarian aid from Spain for the families affected by this tragedy.
Because the original fundraiser is in Spanish, I created this English version in the hopes of reaching a broader audience that can contribute to the exact same mission.
Playa Grande is the community where Armando grew up, where his parents got married, and where many of his loved ones still live. Playa Grande Yachting Club was more than just a club to him, it was where he spent most of his childhood, surrounded by people who became like family. Many of those same workers, friends, and neighbors have now lost everything.
This is not a separate initiative. It supports the same families, the same relief efforts, and the same commitment to helping the community recover.
How Your Donation Will Help
We have identified 30+ families who urgently need assistance. We expect that number to grow as we continue assessing the damage.
The goal is not only to respond during the emergency but also to support families throughout the long recovery process.
Funds raised will be used for:
* Emergency relief, including funeral expenses, rescue efforts, and other urgent needs.
* Medical care, medications, surgeries, and hospital-related expenses.
* Transportation for medical emergencies.
* Food, basic necessities, and temporary financial assistance for affected families.
* Essential supplies needed during the first stages of recovery.
* A second phase focused on rebuilding and helping families restore their homes.
Our hope is that, by the time the holiday season arrives, these families will have a safer place to live and a small opportunity to begin rebuilding their lives after such an unimaginable loss.
Relief Has Already Begun
This effort did not start with this fundraiser.
Armando immediately opened his own home in Madrid, as a collection center for humanitarian aid. Thanks to the incredible generosity of friends, family, and members of the community, more than 120 boxes of supplies were collected, filling two trucks that are already headed to Venezuela.
Armando will also travel to Venezuela carrying as many medical supplies and urgently needed materials as possible, based on the community's most urgent needs at the time.
Transparency
We understand that donating requires trust. That is why transparency is one of our highest priorities.
Regular updates will be posted here so donors can follow the progress of the relief effort.
A public Google Drive folder will also be shared containing receipts, invoices, photographs, videos, and documentation showing exactly how donations are being used.
In addition, Armando will continue documenting the relief work through his Instagram, @armandoplanchart, where supporters will be able to see the direct impact of this campaign.
Our Commitment
Every dollar donated through this fundraiser will go directly toward helping families affected by this tragedy.
No funds will be used for personal expenses. Travel, accommodations, meals, transportation, and all personal costs related to delivering aid will be covered separately and will not come from this fundraiser.
Every contribution will be transformed into direct assistance—whether through medical care, food, emergency support, funeral expenses, essential supplies, or helping families rebuild their homes.
A Final Message
No single fundraiser can undo a tragedy of this magnitude.
But together, we can ease some of the burden these families are carrying today and help them begin rebuilding tomorrow.
Whether you choose to donate or simply share this campaign, your support truly makes a difference.
On behalf of everyone involved in this relief effort—and especially the families of Playa Grande—thank you for your generosity, your compassion, and your willingness to stand with this community during one of the hardest moments in its history.
Together we can help save lives today and rebuild hope for tomorrow.