With widespread destruction across the US island territory of Puerto Rico, it goes without saying that everyone there can use a helping hand. Many people in marginalized communities, however, tend to find themselves at the back of the line.
The Centro Comunitario LGBTT de Puerto Rico has established a relief fund to directly “assist our member center, Centro Comunitario LGBTT de Puerto Rico, to provide relief efforts to the community that they serve. Along with helping to purchase batteries, flashlights, a generator for the Center, non-perishable food, and other hard-to-come-by essentials for community members, funds will also go to assist those least likely to receive assistance from post-storm recovery efforts—the LGBTQ community.”
To make a donation, go to the Relief Fund for Centro Comunitario LGBTT de Puerto Rico website.
LGBT Puerto Rico is also providing regular updates on ways to help out on the LGBT Puerto Rico Facebook page.
Here, you can find links to efforts like Ricky Martin’s YouCaring Compassionate Crowdfunding page where you can add to add to the out and proud superstar entertainer’s personal donation of $100,000. A native Puerto Rican, Martin is pinpointing places to put these funds to work immediately through the Ricky Martin Foundation. As he says is his fundraising statement:
“The Ricky Martin Foundation team on the ground is already working with the local government, local volunteers and the First Lady of Puerto Rico to provide urgently needed food, water, clothing and medical supplies. Next week, thanks to our corporate partners, we’re sending relief planes full of the most urgently needed supplies, and partnering with Music For Relief and We Care Solar to provide solar suitcases filled with light & hope to our communities, which are literally in the dark. For the longterm, we’ll partner with Habitat for Humanity once rebuilding is able to start, just like we did after the tsunami in Thailand and the earthquake in Haiti. … We’ll add additional partners once needs can be fully assessed.”
Other reputable places to put your donation dollars to work include:
Unidos por Puoerto Rico: Puerto Rican First Lady Beatriz Roselló’s joint initiative with the private sector to support victims of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Learn more and donate here.
Global Giving: This project will provide emergency relief, psycho-social support, water, sanitation and hygiene solutions and then debris removal, for communities affected by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and beyond. Learn more and donate to Global Giving’s relief efforts in Puerto Rico and across the Caribbean here.
UNICEF: A donation of just $28 will provide a kit containing basic, essential supplies such as water purification tablets, a water bucket with lid, water containers, soap, toothpaste, detergent and sanitary pads. The supplies will help children and their families keep clean and healthy, protecting them from diseases that can occur after the loss of equipment and infrastructure and the disruption of a safe water supply. Learn more and donate to UNICEF’s Puerto Rico relief efforts here.
