Rolon Puerto Rico Family Recovery
As many of you know I was born in Puerto Rico and my Father (now deceased) was Puerto Rican and has family all over the island. Hurricane Maria passed through in mid September and completely decimated the US Territory. My Grandfather (97 and diabetic) was forced to evacuate his home due to flooding and walk through waist deep water to a shelter with the help of some neighbors. My Aunt Lourdes and husband Tono also evacuated their home to flooding and have lost everything in their home. Although everyone I am close to is safe and accounted for, they are suffering like all other Puerto Ricans on the island. To top it off, my Uncle Tono was working on a car at the house 2 days ago, when the car exploded, caught fire, caught my cousin Lorell's car on fire, caught the previously flooded house on fire. He was badly burned on his arm, but is ok, however refused to go the hospital. My Aunt Lourdes is completely shattered. I feel so helpless. I want to help badly, but I cannot get down there until there are hotel rooms, rental cars, gasoline, safe passable roads, police presence....it's too unstable.
Many of you have reached out to me via text and messenger asking how you can help. Donating to the Red Cross and other relief agencies will certainly help someone in Puerto Rico, but I cannot guarantee your donation will go to MY family. I know that sounds a little selfish, but my family is my first priority.
If you can spare a few dollars and a few minutes of your time to donate I can use the money to help them rebuild their lives and homes. Although it may be a few months before I can get down there under more stable conditions we would be eternally grateful for any amount you can give. My 1st cousins in Pennsylvania, my Mother in Houston, and myself in Chicago all feel so close to these family members, and yet we are so far removed from their suffering and are desperate to get there and help them recover.
Just so it's clear (GoFundMe is asking me to explain more explicitly) the funds will be transferred to my own personal bank account. I will go to Puerto Rico and use the money to purchase things on my family's behalf. I will keep receipts of the purchases and track how the money is spent.
On a last note, I will personally match your donations up to $5,000. If we can raise 5K, I will match it for a total of 10K. It may not seem like much, but it doesn't matter. 10K would buy much needed supplies.....and a lot of plantains. (Sorry I needed to inject something to smile about, as hope).
