Help Me Bring Light In Dark Times
Donation protected
Almost two months ago, on the heels of Hurricane Irma, Hurricane Maria devastated the island of Puerto Rico. Luckily, my family members survived the storm. As a result of propery damage they experienced, my aunt, her husband, and two of my cousins moved downstairs into my 86-year-old grandmother's house.
They still have no electricity. They have no means to power their refrigerator/freezer. Therefore, they cannot make ice, and they can only purchase a day's worth of meat and refrigerated goods at a time, when avaialble. They cannot operate electric fans to keep the mosquitos at bay. Temperatures range in the mid-to-high 80's with 80+% humidity on a daily basis.
For weeks, they had no running water. It now occasionally works, but they fear it, like much of the water supply on the island, is unsafe to drink. They've been harvesting and storing rain water and purchasing bottled water whenever possible.
The sound of continuously running gas-powered generators and the smell of diesel fuel pollutes the ears and noses of citizens accustomed to living on a quiet and tropical island with clean air. This, along with the darkness that consumes the entire island every evening, has already begun to take a psychological toll on its people.
I have decided to go there next month. I will be leaving on the 17th of December. My intention is to send, via UPS freight, a portable solar-powered generator and the panels necessary to recharge it, ahead of my visit. While I'm there, I will assist my family in whatever way possible and seek out volunteer opportunities on the island. This will be the first time I celebrate the holidays with this side of my family.
I have already reduced costs for this misison by taking advantage of various discounts and promotions. Funding for the solar-powered generator, the panels, and the shipping costs are the primary need. Funding for the cost of air travel is secondary. I request financial assitance for the following:
- Goal Zero Yeti 3000 Lithium Portable Power Station; $2,640
- 2 Goal Zero Boulder 100 Solar Panels; $391
- UPS Freight International Shipping Costs; Approx. $550
- Round-Trip Airfare from Seattle to San Juan; $932
Any and all donations are welcome. In addition to and in lieu of donating, I ask you please share the link for this fundraiser to help me get more eyes on this request. Thank you all for any help you can provide.
They still have no electricity. They have no means to power their refrigerator/freezer. Therefore, they cannot make ice, and they can only purchase a day's worth of meat and refrigerated goods at a time, when avaialble. They cannot operate electric fans to keep the mosquitos at bay. Temperatures range in the mid-to-high 80's with 80+% humidity on a daily basis.
For weeks, they had no running water. It now occasionally works, but they fear it, like much of the water supply on the island, is unsafe to drink. They've been harvesting and storing rain water and purchasing bottled water whenever possible.
The sound of continuously running gas-powered generators and the smell of diesel fuel pollutes the ears and noses of citizens accustomed to living on a quiet and tropical island with clean air. This, along with the darkness that consumes the entire island every evening, has already begun to take a psychological toll on its people.
I have decided to go there next month. I will be leaving on the 17th of December. My intention is to send, via UPS freight, a portable solar-powered generator and the panels necessary to recharge it, ahead of my visit. While I'm there, I will assist my family in whatever way possible and seek out volunteer opportunities on the island. This will be the first time I celebrate the holidays with this side of my family.
I have already reduced costs for this misison by taking advantage of various discounts and promotions. Funding for the solar-powered generator, the panels, and the shipping costs are the primary need. Funding for the cost of air travel is secondary. I request financial assitance for the following:
- Goal Zero Yeti 3000 Lithium Portable Power Station; $2,640
- 2 Goal Zero Boulder 100 Solar Panels; $391
- UPS Freight International Shipping Costs; Approx. $550
- Round-Trip Airfare from Seattle to San Juan; $932
Any and all donations are welcome. In addition to and in lieu of donating, I ask you please share the link for this fundraiser to help me get more eyes on this request. Thank you all for any help you can provide.
Organizer
Carmelo Quetell
Organizer
Duvall, WA
