Community leaders and volunteers in Bridgeport braved the frigid temperatures on Saturday to collect donations for earthquake relief in Puerto Rico.
State Representative Christopher Rosario stood on the corner of East Main and Arctic Streets with volunteers. They carried small blue plastic containers and encouraged drivers and pedestrians to fill them with cash.
Rosario says Connecticut is ready to support Puerto Rico.
“We had a meeting with the governor and his staff and the general, the Connecticut National Guard about the Connecticut National Guard being at the ready. The moment our counterparts in Puerto Rico ask for assistance from the Connecticut National Guard, we’re ready to send them.”
The East Side Senior Center in Bridgeport was also buzzing with volunteers and community leaders collecting donations for earthquake relief in Puerto Rico.
City Council President Aidee Nieves has family on the southern end of the island that was hit by the earthquakes.
Nieves said the event was a new collaboration by local groups that are coordinating with the mayors of the towns damaged by the earthquakes.
“The point is that we want to make sure we have that money earmarked for those specific towns, and those mayors have gone ahead and created a locked-box line item in their budgets to ensure that these funds solely are spent on earthquake relief efforts.”
Nieves says donations can be made through their Facebook page.
Puerto Rico has been hit by a series of earthquakes and tremors since December. Thousands in the areas hardest hit by the earthquakes are still sleeping outside, afraid to return to their homes.
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