PR recovery after Hurricane Maria
Donation protected
Today (9/20/2017), Puerto Rico was subjected to a devastating climate event. Hurricane Maria hit the island with winds over 160mph. The entire island was affected by this massive storm, leaving behind over 3.5 million people without power. Roads are flooded in many cities, and everywhere you look, there is debris from the destruction caused by the hurricane.
As a Puerto Rican living in the US, I can't begin to tell you how incredibly frustrating it is to not have the ability to do anything to help during this crisis. For that reason, I want to reach as many people as possible to help raise money that will be donated to different organizations that will lead the recovery efforts in the next weeks and months.
Although many of us are not there, we feel the pain and suffering our families and friends are experiencing now. Lets get together as one to help with the reconstruction of our beautiful Puerto Rico.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!
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GoFundMe has asked to verify a few things to make sure I am who I say I am, and exactly how the money raised will be used.
Who you are and where you’re from
My name is Waldemar Del Valle, but everyone knows me as Tito. I am a structural engineer living in Atlanta, GA for the past 20 years. However, I was born and raised in Ponce, Puerto Rico. My entire family still lives there, so I try to visit as many times as I can.
Your relationship or contact to the parties you're raising funds for
The day hurricane Maria hit PR, I decided I wanted to help in any way I could. I thought a GoFundMe campaign was a good idea to help raise funds that could be spent on everyday items for people in need. Every dollar donated will go to someone affected by the hurricane in PR.
How the funds will be spent
Initially, I was going to give the money to a larger organization to use as needed. However, after doing some research, I realized the money was going to be "diluted" if I did that. I wanted all the funds to be spent on direct help to local residents. When I found out local Atlanta businesses were collecting products and getting ready to ship them to the island, I made contact with them and told them I wanted to be a part of their efforts. The plan is to use the money collected to purchase items (canned goods, baby formula, diapers, etc) that will be sent via a cargo plane to PR on October 1st. The group I connected with is working the logistics, and will confirm this week when I can bring in the products to the warehouse for shipping preparations.
Your withdrawal plan to get the funds from the campaign to the ultimate beneficiary/ies
I'll begin withdrawing funds on Wednesday (9/27) to start purchasing products to send to PR. A second withdrawal will happen again on Friday (09/29) to do a second round of purchases. If additional money is donated after the cutoff date for the cargo plane, I'll do a third withdrawal and purchase additional items for future shipments.
As a Puerto Rican living in the US, I can't begin to tell you how incredibly frustrating it is to not have the ability to do anything to help during this crisis. For that reason, I want to reach as many people as possible to help raise money that will be donated to different organizations that will lead the recovery efforts in the next weeks and months.
Although many of us are not there, we feel the pain and suffering our families and friends are experiencing now. Lets get together as one to help with the reconstruction of our beautiful Puerto Rico.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!
*****************************************************
GoFundMe has asked to verify a few things to make sure I am who I say I am, and exactly how the money raised will be used.
Who you are and where you’re from
My name is Waldemar Del Valle, but everyone knows me as Tito. I am a structural engineer living in Atlanta, GA for the past 20 years. However, I was born and raised in Ponce, Puerto Rico. My entire family still lives there, so I try to visit as many times as I can.
Your relationship or contact to the parties you're raising funds for
The day hurricane Maria hit PR, I decided I wanted to help in any way I could. I thought a GoFundMe campaign was a good idea to help raise funds that could be spent on everyday items for people in need. Every dollar donated will go to someone affected by the hurricane in PR.
How the funds will be spent
Initially, I was going to give the money to a larger organization to use as needed. However, after doing some research, I realized the money was going to be "diluted" if I did that. I wanted all the funds to be spent on direct help to local residents. When I found out local Atlanta businesses were collecting products and getting ready to ship them to the island, I made contact with them and told them I wanted to be a part of their efforts. The plan is to use the money collected to purchase items (canned goods, baby formula, diapers, etc) that will be sent via a cargo plane to PR on October 1st. The group I connected with is working the logistics, and will confirm this week when I can bring in the products to the warehouse for shipping preparations.
Your withdrawal plan to get the funds from the campaign to the ultimate beneficiary/ies
I'll begin withdrawing funds on Wednesday (9/27) to start purchasing products to send to PR. A second withdrawal will happen again on Friday (09/29) to do a second round of purchases. If additional money is donated after the cutoff date for the cargo plane, I'll do a third withdrawal and purchase additional items for future shipments.
Organizer
Tito Del Valle
Organizer
Atlanta, GA
