Puerto Rico Family Relief Fund

Puerto Rico has been devastated by the worst storm ever recorded in their history: Hurricane Maria. The infrastructure is gone. 97% of the island is without power, 47% without water and aid isn't arriving at the speed needed to help 3.5 million people on the island.

9 households = 29 members of my family have been greatly affected by this disaster. Some have completely lost their homes and cars to severe flooding. Others lost all of their belongings also due to flooding and others are having a hard time getting the medical and household supplies they need because they are elderly and cannot get around as easily. These include my mother, maternal grandparents, aunts, cousins and their young children.

Communication is limited, roads are blocked, there is curfew and a limited amount of locations where gas, food and water can be found. Many of these locations have very long lines that make it very difficult to get everything you need before curfew hours. Lines as long as 8 hours to get ice (limit 2 bags), 12 hours to get gas (limit $10), 3 hours to use an ATM (right now there is only one location we know of). These locations are not always close by and many of my family members do not have cars or are elderly and cannot make the trip.

We have waited to hear news of federal funds and relief arriving to them but it hasn't and they don't project it will any time soon. Power is projected to take 4-6 months before it is restored to the island. My family needs help now.

I cannot sit by and know they are suffering and going without. Please assist me in raising funds so we can act quickly to provide much needed relief to my family. It is my goal to raise funds for these 9 households (right now we only have communication with 5 of those households so efforts will begin there, then the other 4 households once we are able to communicate with them)

The funds raised will go to the following items:

2 Gas Generators

Groceries/canned goods for a month for each household

1 Propane Gas tank for cooking for each household (lasts 6 month)

Gas for vehicles for 1 month (only 6 households have vehicles)

Minor/immediate repairs needed per household

Miscellaneous items:

·      Ice/Dry ice

·      Toiletries

·      Batteries and flash lights

·      Propane burners (for those without access to gas cooking)

·      Clothing basics (underwear, school uniforms, etc.)

·      Medical supplies

Once the postal service is restored we will also be sending clothing and other household items and supplies.

Thank you to everyone who has inquired about my family and all your prayers.

Samantha Howard