On Saturday, September 30, 2017, the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization will host a donation drive to help the victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and the earthquake in Mexico City.
The drive will take place on Saturday, September 30, 2017, at the corner of Southern Boulevard and Aldus Street. The event will begin at 12 p.m. Donations including clothing, non-perishable food and other goods will be accepted by the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization at the event.
“It is in times like this when we all must come together, to help those in great need,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “Both Mexico and Puerto Rico have been hit hard by natural disasters, and we will do everything we can to help our friends and family in both regions, as they face immense adversity. The road to recovery can be quite difficult, which is why I am urging everyone to support the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization’s drive to collect donations for those who need them.”
“There is no question that we must do all we can do to help our fellow Puerto Rican and Mexican brothers and sisters, who need all of the help that we can give them,” said State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. “No matter where you are from, we must all come together to help rebuild after these national disasters. Providing our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico and Mexico with a helping hand is a good way to start, and I urge everyone to support this important donation drive.”
“We not only are keeping our friends and family in Mexico, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean in our thoughts and prayers, but we stand ready in offering our support in any way we can as they overcome these natural disasters,” said New York City Council Member Rafael Salamanca.
“It is at times like these when misery, heartbreak and destruction impacts our neighbors that we must rise to the occasion, give thanks to our blessings and share our compassion with those most in need. No donation is too small at times like these. Your help in assisting the victims of recent hurricanes and earthquakes in our hemisphere is desperately needed,” said Marcos Crespo, Chair of the New York State Assembly Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force.
“The devastation in Mexico and Puerto Rico over the last several days has been too much to bear. The images are heartbreaking and the damage is nothing short of catastrophic,” said U.S. Congressman Eliot Engel. “The issues are especially bad for our fellow citizens in Puerto Rico, who barely had a moment to breathe after Hurricane Irma before Hurricane Maria hit. We need to do everything in our power to help them in their moment of need, and as Ranking Member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee I am also committed to helping our friends in Mexico recover from the massive earthquake that shook Mexico City. We here in New York are no strangers to powerful, dangerous natural events and as such we in the Bronx stand ready to assist in any way we can.”
“This hurricane season has been like no other we have witnessed in generations and continues to have a devastating impact throughout the Caribbean,” said U.S. Congressman Adriano Espaillat. “As we brace for Hurricane Maria to make landfall, and the recovery efforts underway following the earthquake in central Mexico, we must remain vigilant and in continuous communication with area leaders, first responders, and stand ready to assist all who are impacted during the aftermath. This is a critical time for Puerto Rico and Mexico City, and we each have a moral duty and responsibility to aid in the immense rebuilding efforts that it will take to rebuild. We pray for each of the victims and are on alert for our families and loved ones in the region. I will work to ensure that the necessary federal resources are available to assist all who have been affected and with the potential public health crises that may arise.”
“These are the worst storms that anyone could ever imagine. I’m sending out prayers and calls for comfort to all our brothers, sisters and families that are suffering as a result of the hurricanes and other natural disasters that brought destruction to the Caribbean islands and neighboring Mexico. We, in the Bronx, have families across the globe suffering from the devastation. I’m asking everyone to find it in their hearts to do whatever they can to help bring relief to our brothers and sisters who are suffering in these tragedies,” said Council Member Andy King.
“When national crises occur, New Yorkers have always been there to help,” said Council Member James Vacca. “We understand the chaos and pain that those affected by the natural tragedies in Puerto Rico and Mexico City are going through. With Hurricane Sandy still fresh in our memory it is important that we show our friends and families in those cities that we are here to help them, today and in the future.”
“The damaging impact of the recent natural disasters in the Gulf Region, especially Mexico and Puerto Rico, is heartbreaking and breathtaking,” said Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson. “In the wake of this tragedy, I am proud to support the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization donation drive and thank them for taking the initiative to help those who have lost so much. I encourage any Bronx residents who can help to please do so by contributing to Saturday’s donation drive. I ask all New Yorkers to join me in keeping the people of Mexico and Puerto Rico in their thoughts and prayers during this incredibly challenging time.”
“New York City is ready to answer the call for help. We will take these relief efforts seriously and pledge our unconditional support to the people of Mexico and Puerto Rico after these traumatic climatic disasters. They are not alone in this recovery,” said Council Member Ritchie Torres.
“It’s difficult to imagine the pain, heartache and loss felt by our brothers and sisters in Mexico and Puerto Rico,” said Assembly Member Michael Blake. “So many people gave to us during our time of need. It’s now our time to give back to help others. No Hurricane is stronger than the spirit of the people, and so, we unite to bring strength, healing and resources to help Puerto Rico and Mexico rise again.”
“Natural disasters bring with them unimaginable grief and long-lasting hardships for families and friends,” said Assembly Member Victor Pichardo. “As New Yorkers, we know that in difficult times, we must unite. Today, it’s up to us to come together to help Mexico and Puerto Rico’s communities in their time of need. Donations such as clothing, nonperishable food and other goods will help ensure more people have access to essentials as they recover and rebuild.”
“The immense destruction brought to Puerto Rico by Hurricane Maria and the damage being seen in Mexico City due to the recent deadly earthquake are reminders of just how fragile human life can be,” said Assembly Member Latoya Joyner. “Now is the time for our community to join together in support of the relief efforts of the New York Hispanic Clergy Organization as we reach-out to assist those in need.”
“True compassion is measured by what we do and not merely say,” said Assembly Member Jose Rivera. “This is the time for all of us to come together and assist families in Puerto Rico and Mexico. I implore the good people of the Bronx to remember these wise words from Scripture: ‘Do to others as you would have them do to you.'”
“My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Puerto Rico and Mexico. The weather events and natural disasters of the past week are unprecedented and demand our community’s action on behalf of our families, friends and neighbors,” said Council Member Fernando Cabrera. Now, more than ever we must step up our efforts and provide material relief and heartfelt support. We must work post-recovery with Puerto Rico to rebuild infrastructure and create new economic opportunity and prosperity.”
“Our hearts and our prayers go out to the victims of Hurricane Maria in our beloved homeland of Puerto Rico and to the victims of the earthquake in Mexico, where so many other Bronxites have roots. But along with prayer, we need to donate critical supplies and make financial donations to help get these victims of disaster back on their feet,” said Assembly Member Luis Sepulveda.
For more information on how to participate in the event, contact 973-881-1130.