Right Now Relief for Puerto Rico
WHATS HAPPENING:
Obviously things are not good right now in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. In my immediate circle of friends and family I have seen very little service and no aid (water, food, gas, ice, essentials). The reports of feeling abandoned are widespread and consistent.
There's no running water for most, so people must purchase. Water that is running is deadly poinsionous. There are few stores open, so people must travel. Those that are open have empty shelves, so travel increases. Purchase of anything can't be done with Visa/Debit due to a communications failure. Cash for many has run out. Gas is still scarse in some areas.
FEMA has been able to resolve the problem of goods "stuck in port", but in doing so they gobbled up all the diesel and drivers.. leaving other stores to scramble for backup logistics to restock. The stuff that has moved, hasn't been enough to live on for those in need.
Worst of all, 90% of cell towers are down, so there litterally can be no call for help. It's a paradox that cant be solved without a jumpstart.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
You're the jumpstart. First, the base of your donation will be used for the essentials (water, fuel, ice, food). Should you elect, your donation can go to a specific purpose.
Next, any funds beyond immediate need will give us the freedom to help in ways that bring tangible joy -- like a cold beer, toy for a child, or light at night.
Please donate now what you can (here or with PayPal). In the future, once USPS/UPS start again, I may ask for your help with specific purchases - for now, you can not send anything.
WHAT I AM DOING:
With your generous donations, I was able to purchase, pack and deliver a minivan full of care packages for 7 homes of friends and family - collectively helping upwards of 40 people. No one is living alone, everyone has a family member or freind in need staying with them.
I now know more about what people need - mostly things you cant ship (ice, fuel, hugs, fun). For now, your initial boost gave people the 4-7 days of buffer they needed to transition into this new reality.
Now we are focused on researching opportunites (and plane tickets) for friends and family that want to escape to the states. Several lost their car, belongings, and entire homes. Others lost their jobs and have no hope to find work. Most are just depressed, and understandably so.
Long term, I am sourcing plans and materials for solar power setups for those who will be without power for months (there are so many power lines down, and the its unlikely the plants will be able to support the load once reconnected).
I am also planning a trip stateside to drum up opportunites for cash infusion in PR. This is still a very attractive tax haven for US citizens. Perhaps we can find a few who wont mind giving back a little.
I was fortuante to have a safe sactuary both during and after the storm. Help me give others the same.
You can include a 787 phone number with your dontion and I will forward your contribution via ATHmovil (the local venmo / paypal). This is the fastest and most reliable way to get funds to your family.
Stay up to date with facebook and twitter:
Puerto Rico Maria Updates
#MariaPR
status.pr (Official stats from the Governor)
Your generosity will continue to go to the people in my immediate network - people who I directly interact with and I see they need help. Please donate now what you can. You don't have to wonder where your donation will go, or when it will arive.
Right Now Relief for Puerto Rico. Please share:
https://www.gofundme.com/now-relief-puerto-rico
