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Local Puerto Ricans organize new ways to help those hit by Hurricane Maria

Rochesterians of Puerto Rican descent are organizing new ways to help those suffering on the island.

There are wildly conflicting reports from Puerto Rico – with Fox News reporting 54 dead after recent hurricanes, with other sources indicate it could be nearly a thousand. But here’s what’s not in dispute: power is still out in most places, and the situation is dire.
 

”It has been a tremendous shock for me to see the island like it is now. I was in the center of the island this past weekend and it’s devastating.” That’s what Hilda Rosario Escher from the Ibero American Action League had to say on Connections with Evan Dawsonon Thursday.

She’s in Puerto Rico right now. Ibero here in Rochester will host a welcome reception for Hurricane Maria families next Thursday, November 9th. The goal is to put all the resources in one place for families in need. Tricia Cruz Irving from Ibero, says it’s a chance to help these families feel more connected.

”We know that they’re feeling isolated, that they’re wondering who to turn to, so the welcome reception will be a great place for them to go to feel welcomed and to get a lot of information.”

Irene Sanchez is the founder of Puertorriquenos Unidos en la Distancia – Puerto Ricans United in the Distance. It’s an online presence to offer help for relocated families.

”We were able to collect donations and we were able to raise nearly $9,000 to send to Puerto Rico within a week of Maria Hurricane hitting Puerto Rico, and now we are working on create programs and facilitate that transition from them once they arrive.”

It will be months before all the lights come back on on the island  – but the goal today is to prevent any unnecessary suffering – or worse. 

Evan Dawson is the host of "Connections with Evan Dawson." He joined WXXI in January 2014 after working at 13WHAM-TV, where he served as morning news anchor. He was hired as a reporter for 13WHAM-TV in 2003 before being promoted to anchor in 2007.