Support for Puerto Rico
Imagine being stuck on an island without power, water, communications and short in supplies… On September 20, 2017, Puerto Rico was hit by Category 4 Hurricane María. In the wake of the hurricane, 100% of the island of Puerto Rico was without power and 80% without water service. The massive blackout (expected to last between 4-6 months), winds gust of 203 mph, and widespread flooding have caused communications, transportation infrastructure, and basic services to collapse. In an island already in economic distress, Hurricane María deepened the humanitarian crisis left after Hurricane Irma.
What we need from you?
We are requesting your support for Puerto Rico by:
Promoting our efforts with (faculty, students and staff in your department/ members of your organization and community)
Reach out to other departments, organizations and encourage them to donate and help us spread the word
Provide volunteers
Encourage your academic departments and administrative offices to make contributions on their behalfs
Encourage the students to take videos (preferred) and pictures when buying donations, dropping items or volunteering at the drop-off center using the following hashtags:
#PuertoRicoselevanta
#PuertoRicoRisesMI
Here is a folder that contains the following files:
Flyers including a list of supplies being collected
Volunteer sign-up sheets for our collection centers with a description of tasks
Volunteer sign-up sheets for approaching stores/supermarkets to inquire donations
Word doc of example scripts for inquiring donations
Who are we?
We are a group of Puerto Ricans living in Ann Arbor and affiliated to the University of Michigan in various ways (e.g. staff, graduate students, alumni). In support of all those affected by hurricane María, we are coordinating a local collection drive in the Ann Arbor area as we work in concert with the Puerto Rico Rises organization. This organization was formed by members of the Puerto Rican diaspora and its mission is to help Puerto Rico recover from these disasters.
What are we collecting?
Attached is a flyer with the drop-off location around UM campus and the list of items that we are collecting, appropriate for a tropical island without power and water.
Who is going to receive the supplies?
As part of our efforts we are collaborating with the Puerto Rican Family Institute (501c3 non-profit org). This non-profit, health and human services agency, based in New York, is our strategic partner in the transportation of all collected supplies. The PRFI is one of the many organizations working in concert with the New York state government in its Empire State Relief and Recovery Effort for Puerto Rico. Once received, they will guarantee the distribution of relief in Puerto Rico.
As part of our efforts we are collaborating with the Puerto Rican Family Institute (501c3 non-profit org). This non-profit, health and human services agency, based in New York, is our strategic partner in the transportation of all collected supplies. The PRFI is one of the many organizations working in concert with the New York state government in its Empire State Relief and Recovery Effort for Puerto Rico. Once received, they will guarantee the distribution of relief in Puerto Rico.