Hurricane Maria Clean Up
Donation protected
As most of you know, My family lost our house in Puerto Rico during Hurricane Maria. I have avoided doing a fundraiser for many reasons, mostly survivor’s guilt. I'm not living the day-to-day struggle on the island so why should I ask for help?
I spent months after the hurricane rallying support for my family and loved ones on the island. My efforts help send much needed care packages, directly to over 38 people on the island! After all the organizing for others, I was still left with the fact that our home was now a huge pile of rubble and I had no funds to deal with the clean up.
Last week I was gifted with a donation to help start the clean up. I was in tears over this person’s generosity, more importantly I was moved by what he told me, "Sophia, don't be afraid to ask for help, people love you and will help if you ask." The words of a hero, and we could all use a hero from time to time. It brings me to tears writing it out.
So here I am, out on a limb, asking for help. Between the clean up, securing the site to prevent further vandalism, and clearing the road that leads to the house, I have been given estimates of approximately $5000.
For the last 5 months I have been dealing with high levels of anxiety that literally wake me out of my sleep with worry. The inability to move forward with the clean up, the profound grief over watching my people suffer and anguish over the political future of my beloved island, rendered me immobile and unable to ask for much needed assistance.
Some of you have asked how I need help, a donation however small, would help me finish the clean up.
I don't know how or if we'll ever be able to rebuild, but getting this massive clean up done is at least a start and will bring my neighbors and I (who have to deal with the possibility of flying debris from my property) much needed piece of mind.
I know we all have our battles and hardships so I thank you for your time and any help you can provide.
With love and gratitude from the bottom of my heart.
Love
Sophia Ramos
I spent months after the hurricane rallying support for my family and loved ones on the island. My efforts help send much needed care packages, directly to over 38 people on the island! After all the organizing for others, I was still left with the fact that our home was now a huge pile of rubble and I had no funds to deal with the clean up.
Last week I was gifted with a donation to help start the clean up. I was in tears over this person’s generosity, more importantly I was moved by what he told me, "Sophia, don't be afraid to ask for help, people love you and will help if you ask." The words of a hero, and we could all use a hero from time to time. It brings me to tears writing it out.
So here I am, out on a limb, asking for help. Between the clean up, securing the site to prevent further vandalism, and clearing the road that leads to the house, I have been given estimates of approximately $5000.
For the last 5 months I have been dealing with high levels of anxiety that literally wake me out of my sleep with worry. The inability to move forward with the clean up, the profound grief over watching my people suffer and anguish over the political future of my beloved island, rendered me immobile and unable to ask for much needed assistance.
Some of you have asked how I need help, a donation however small, would help me finish the clean up.
I don't know how or if we'll ever be able to rebuild, but getting this massive clean up done is at least a start and will bring my neighbors and I (who have to deal with the possibility of flying debris from my property) much needed piece of mind.
I know we all have our battles and hardships so I thank you for your time and any help you can provide.
With love and gratitude from the bottom of my heart.
Love
Sophia Ramos
Organizer
Sophia Ramos
Organizer
New York, NY
