Hi, my name is Tino and I'm fundraising for my deeply devastated community Acapulco, Mx. Early Wednesday morning, Hurricane Otis became the strongest storm in recorded history to strike the Pacific Coast of Mexico. This tropical storm became a Category 5 hurricane with heavy rain, 165 mph (266kph) winds and unleashed massive landslides, floods, and destroyed 90% of the city all within hours. There was little preparation and absolutely no warning from the authorities.

Over 1 million residents right now are without drinking water, food, gas, electricity, phone service, gasoline nor internet to communicate. They do not know where to go to receive information about relief locations. Hospitals are full of patients and empty of medicines. The city is a complete chaos; Looting to home invasions in the middle of the night are just a few horrible stories I’ve heard from my family and friends. I’m sure you can find more info on any social media about the seriousness of the situation and the lack of help from governmental authorities.

However, I will not focus on the negative, we must remain strong, focused and resilient.

“Your path is illuminated by the light, yet darkness lets the stars shine bright.”

It is during these dark times that we get to see some really bright stars, and I would like bring attention to the incredible job my cousin/Catholic priest Father Josué Arroyo Martínez is doing at the church of Parroquía San Miguel Arcángel - Coyuca de Benítez. Father Josue, along with my aunts and other cousins are teamed with a great group of volunteers to fight hunger and help all the people around our community. In the aftermath of the hurricane, with very minimum resources my cousin gathered a few items, cleaned up the church, got a community kitchen going, and with the help of awesome volunteers they are feeding everyone needing food and water. They are doing brigades to Acapulco and nearby towns to take some hot food and water to them. He has been receiving a little help from the surrounding sister churches from other states, and this has helped the Community Kitchen to continue its work on a daily basis providing about 1000 meals a day. Only breakfast and lunch is being served.

It's going to take a lot of effort to get back on their feet, it’s going to take years for Acapulco to regain their tourism strength, but right now every little help counts. With your special contribution you will ensure that a hot plate of food is served to a child, that a sandwich reaches an empty stomach, and medicine is provided to the sick.

Please join me in helping my cousin Father Josué, continue shining that light of hope and let it radiate on the people of Acapulco, Coyuca and the surrounding communities.

All funds will be used to purchase Water, Food, Gasoline, Basic Medicines, and Hygiene items. You can follow the Church's official Facebook Page to see your contribution in action, will post on special days when our help is deliver and also the daily efforts to feed and assist the community. https://www.facebook.com/Parroq.SanMiguelArcangel

Agape,

Tino