Centro Voices, Center for Puerto Rican Studies: Where to Donate to Disaster Relief Efforts for Puerto Rico

 Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

Josue Mendez

Donate to Disaster Relief Efforts for Puerto Rico

Organization: Puerto Rican Family Institute Donations accepted: Bultos para emergencias, extintores de fuego, kits de primeros auxilios, baterías, linternas, botellas de agua, bolsas de basuras gruesas, productos de higiene personal, utensilios, papel toalla, comida seca para gatos y perros, pañales, fórmula de bebé, rompecabezas u otra actividad para niños. State: NY Donation site: 145 West 15th St. New York, NY (1st Floor) Details: 11 al 18 de enero de 2020, Lunes a Viernes de 9:00 am – 7:00 pm | Sabados de 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Contact: 212-924-6320 | dbenitez@prfi.org

Organization: Friendly Hands Inc. Donations accepted: Baterías, linternas, carpas, ropa de cama, barritas de merienda y suministros para bebés. State: NY Donation site: 229 E118th St New York, NY Details: 11 al 18 de enero de 2020, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm Contact:

Organization: Community Prevention Alternatives For Families In Crisis Center Inc. Donations accepted: Botellas de Agua, baterías, linternas, pañales, fórmula de bebé y  kits de primeros auxilios. State: NY Donation site: 143-40 41st Ave, Flushing, NY Details: Rep. Grace Meng, Northeast Queens District Office | 40-13 159th St. Unit C, Flushing, NY, Por favor llamar primero al 718-909-4634 | Martha Flores-Vazquez Contact: Rep. Grace Meng, Northeast Queens District Office | 40-13 159th St. Unit C, Flushing, NY

Organization: Lucille Roberts Donations accepted: State: NY Donation site: Details: 430 89th St Brooklyn, NY Contact:

Organization: St. Lucy Old Roman Catholic Church Donations accepted: Baterías, linternas, pañales para adultos y bebés, artículos médicos, kits de primeros auxilios y fórmula de bebé State: NY Donation site: 802 Kent Ave. Brooklyn, NY Details: Contact: Ebony Quinonez | 347-634-8278

Organization: Evento coordinado por: Councilman Rafael Salamanca, Jr., Concejal Rubén D‎íaz Sr. y El asambleísta Marcos A.Crespo. Donations accepted: Agua, baterías, kits de primeros auxilios, alimentos enlatados, linternas, pañales y fórmula de bebé. State: NY Donation site: Intersección entre Southern Blvd y Aldus Street, Bronx, NY 10459 Details: Sábado, 18 de enero de 2020, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm Contact:

Organization: El Maestro Inc. Donations accepted: Kit de primeros auxilios, productos de higiene personal, artículos para bebés y personas mayores de edad State: NY Donation site: 1300 Southern Boulevard Bronx, New York Details: Mon. –  Fri. until Jan. 25 Contact: Ponce Laspina | 646-299-6507 |  tuconsentido@aol.com

Organization: Bronx Chamber of Commerce & Police Department of New York 45th Precinct Donations accepted: Baterías, Lámparas Solares, Sábanas, Carpas, Linternas y kits de primeros auxilios. State: NY Donation site: 45th Precinct, 2877 Barkley Avenue, Bronx, NY Details: Contact:

Organization: Residence Inn by Marriott Donations accepted: Baterías, Lámparas Solares, Sábanas, Carpas, Linternas y kits de primeros auxilios. State: NY Donation site: 1776 Eastchester Road, Bronx, NY Details: Contact:

Organization: Applebee’s (Marble Hill) Donations accepted: Baterías, Lámparas Solares, Sábanas, Carpas, Linternas y kits de primeros auxilios. State: NY Donation site: 76 W 225th St, Bronx, NY Details: Contact: 718-597-4629

Organization: El Puente Donations accepted: water filters, solar flashlights and tents State: NY Donation site: 211 South 4th St., Brooklyn, NY 11249 Details: Contact: (718) 387-0404

Organization: Tainas Unidas, United fro PR Earthquake Victims Donations accepted: Personal hygiene, first aid supplies, tents, flashlighets, etc State: NJ Donation site: Tainos Kitchen, 849 Mt. Prospect Avenue, Newark, NJ 07104 Details: Mon- Sun 10-8pm, Sun Contact: 973.991.6827 or 973.391.3054

Organization: Nueva York por Puerto Rico / New York for Puerto Rico Donations accepted: State: NY Donation site: Overthrow Boxing Club 9 Bleeker Street, Manhattan Details: Sunday, January 25th 4pm to 11pm Contact:

Organization: City of Perth Amboy Mayor Wanda Dua Donations accepted: State: NJ Donation site: Alexandar Jankowski Community Center 1 Olive Street Perh Amboy, NJ 08861 Details: Until Wednesday, 1/15, from 9am to 7pm Contact: (732) 826-1690 x4305

Organization: Bronx County Expo & Freddy Perez Jr. Donations accepted: Puerto Rico Earthquake Relief Concert State: NY Donation site: Lehman College, Lehman Center Concert Hall Details: 1/17 Music Fundraiser, 7pm Contact: www.lehmancenter.org

Organization: Andrew Padilla, For Brigada Solidaria Oeste & Coordinadora Paz para la Mujer, INC Donations accepted: Open Mic & Auction State: NY Donation site: Teddy’s 256 East 112th Street Details: 1/16, 6pm – 2am Open Mic Contact:

Organization: Segunda Quimbamba Donations accepted: State: NJ Donation site: 340 3rd Street Jersey City, NY 07302 Details: 1/26 12:30pm – 4pm Contact:

Organization: Puerto Rock Steady Music Festival Donations accepted: Puerto Rico Earthquake Relief Fund Fundraiser State: NJ Donation site: gofundme.com/f/s94n37-puerto-rico-earthquake Details: Humanitarian mission currently in PR Contact: website: harper4humanity.com

Organization: CT Juntos Por Puerto Rico / CT Together for Puerto Rico Donations accepted: Fundraising State: CT Donation site: https://www.hartfordprparade.com Details: Contact: CICDPRParade@gmail.com

Organization: United to Help Puerto Rico Donations accepted: Collecting backpacks and emergency supplies State: PA Donation site: Iglesia Vida Abundante Labanon, 607 Chestnut Street, Lebanon PA Details: icvalebanon@gmail.com Contact: Pastor Madeline Berrios (717) 389-6594

Organization: Concilio Mava y Iglesia Cristinana Vida Abundante Donations accepted: Collecting backpacks and emergency supplies State: PA Donation site: 70 West Main Street Adamstown, PA Details: Contact: Pastor Jose Rivera, (7171) 661-7636

Organization: Iglesia Cristiana Vida Abundante, Lancaster Donations accepted: Collecting backpacks and emergency supplies State: PA Donation site: Lancaster, PA Details: Contact: Pastora Lissette Colon, (717) 333-5868

Organization: Ministerio en Busca de lo Que se habia Perdido Donations accepted: Collecting backpacks and emergency supplies State: PA Donation site: Hazelton, PA Details: Contact: Pastor Joshua Silva, (570) 497-1819

Organization: Help Puerto Rico Earthquake Relief Donations accepted: Flashlights, alcohol pads, badaids, gauze, ducktape, small radios, fist aid kits, batteries State: OH Donation site: Sacred Heart Chapel, 4301 Pearl Ave Lorain OH Details: Monday – Friday, January 13 – 17, 4pm to 8pm Contact: (440) 277-7231

Organization: LAMA Lorain P.R. Earthquake Relief Donations accepted: Flashlights, alcohol pads, badaids, gauze, ducktape, small radios, fist aid kits, batteries, whistles State: OH Donation site: 2200 Cleveland Blvd., Lorain, OH 44052 Details: Monday – Friday, January 13 – 17, 4pm to 8pm Contact: 440.225.1561

Prayers and donations for Puerto Rico

Image: Ramón Toñito Zayes

Prayers for mi bella isla and all Boricuas on the island and in the diaspora. Puerto Ricans still haven’t fully recovered from the island-wide devastation after Hurricane Maria, which took place between September 16 to October 2, 2017, and now they are suffering from thousands of deadly earthquakes and strong aftershocks–a devastating emergency situation.

I pray Trump quickly approves the Puerto Rican Governor’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration and stops withholding Congressionally-appropriated funds to recover from 2017 hurricanes. Release all available aid designated to the island for relief! As I understand it, as of this past Saturday, he has refused to do so, citing ‘corruption’ concerns. Yeah, that’s rich coming from him. I can’t recall a single, positive tweet from this guy about the current suffering in Puerto Rico. If I say any more about Trump and his ‘administration’, it will involve expletives, so I’ll spare you. Back to what’s truly important–the people of Puerto Rico.

Since December 28 (I’ve been checking USGS since December 16), Puerto Rico has suffered thousands of earthquakes and aftershocks, currently centered in and around Guanica and Ponce (my hometown), many offshore in the southwest, with no end in sight. My friend read that the island has sunk two inches. It is heartbreaking to know my fellow Puerto Ricans, my family, and friends in Ponce and Guayanilla are suffering every single day over lost homes, businesses, and historic buildings. Puerto Ricans are resilient and as always, they are helping each other, but it doesn’t erase the fact they are living with all-consuming fear, anxiety, and heartache with the constant threat of possible earthquakes to come. Thousands in the south and on the west coast are living outside in tents or sleeping in parking lots, in their cars, and on mountain tops with no electricity or access to clean water. The schools are closed, and people can’t work; it’s a horrific situation.

I ask you to please consider donating today to the many available organizations that provide assistance for earthquake relief in Puerto Rico. I am reminded to add (as I have done): make sure your donations are reaching people in need. Imagine if this was happening to you and yours. I do.

Thank you in advance. Prayers for Puerto Rico.

Eleanor

New Day, New Decade, New Books

Happy 2020!

Whether you chose a party with friends, a dinner with a loved one, or a quiet night at home with your thoughts and a beloved pet, I hope you enjoyed ringing in the new decade. However you chose to celebrate the last night of 2019, it was momentous. A new day has dawned. A new decade has begun and it’s exciting.

Last night, I heard someone describe the new decade as the roaring ’20s, which resonated with me. I feel a new blog post coming on, smile.

“I made no resolutions for the New Year. The habit of making plans, of criticizing, sanctioning and molding my life, is too much of a daily event for me.”
– Anaïs Nin

This quote rings true for me. I stopped making New Year resolutions years ago. Oh sure, I’ve joined a gym, all gung-ho to lose the extra pounds and by February 1st, I was done. The new running shoes and yoga pants became part of my daily uniform. I swear to quit smoking several times a year, tried e-cigarettes with all good intentions last year, and that didn’t work (cold turkey is the only way to quit). I vow to throw out, give away my hundreds of books to friends and strangers, but find it difficult to part with books. A few years ago, my daughter kindly gifted me a Kindle and that worked well for maybe a year, but there is nothing like holding a book. Some day, I’ll go through all my books and again gift some to my local library. Some day.

Writing and perfecting my craft is my long-range plan each year. I write full-time, so this makes perfect sense to me. I approach writing (and life) with a strong feeling, no, an urgency, that life is short. Unfortunately, life taught me with my beloved mother’s passing in 1992 that life can be short for some of us. So since 1992, I’ve tried to live each day as if it’s my last day on earth. My father developed Alzheimer’s in his early 70s and that also serves as a reminder not to waste time. I’m not saying I live in fear, mind you. No, it’s the urgency that motivates me to write as many books and poems as I can and to paint while I’m here.

This Christmas, I received three books on writing by A.M. Weiland, a beautiful journal for 2020, and I bought three books on plot and structure, dialogue, and creating character arcs by James Scott Bell, a new author for me. Six more books for my writing arsenal!

Photo by Thought Catalog on Pexels.com

I’m not a Virgo who enjoys a strict routine of doing the same thing day in and day out. I’m not speaking about my writing routine, though. I’m talking about having my nails done every Friday or having a standing hair or medical appointment each month. Inevitably, I always reschedule. When I’m at the writing desk, I lose total track of time and my sleep schedule isn’t “normal”. When I’m in the writing flow, I’m productive and it doesn’t matter if the sun is coming up and I fall asleep at noon or 1 pm. I live alone, so the only one possibly bothered by my vampire hours, as I can them, is Sophie, my Chihuahua. God bless her wee little heart, as my Irish friend would say. The only routine I’ve stuck to for decades is my morning routine (whenever I wake up): stretching in bed, praying, meditating, drinking a cup of hot water with lemon, and writing in my journal, which I love. I write and let it go into the Universe.

What I will do this year is to be kinder, more compassionate, and gentle with myself. I will welcome mystery and the unknown. I will stop apologizing for this or that. Instead, I will release and remain grateful for the lessons. I will raise my vibration and reincorporate yoga into my life, maybe Tai Chi, who knows? My body, mind, and soul need all that on this new day, in this new year, and in this new decade. I will continue to listen to the urgency within and take more chances and risks in life and love, and in writing and art. Time waits for no woman.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

So, back to writing and editing poems. I crossed off several items on my bucket list in 2019 and traveled to Thailand and Florida with my children, which made me very happy. Now, I buckle down. I have books to finish and art to make.

May we speak truth to power in our words, deeds, and in our writing. May we always remember to honor and respect Gaia, the ancestral mother of all life. May we remember the forgotten, the marginalized, the lost and jailed children, the separated families at the border, and may we continue to fight against racism, the patriarchy, hatred, and world-wide violence against women and children.

I guess I do have a few 2020 resolutions. Welcome, 2020. Happy writing to you.

“What I love about now is that it is always a beginning.” – Byron Katie

Eleanor 

About Eleanor:

Puerto Rican-born Eleanor Parker Sapia is the author of the multi-award-winning novel, A Decent Woman, published by Winter Goose Publishing. Her best-selling debut novel, set in turn of the century Ponce, Puerto Rico, garnered Second Place for Best Latino Focused Fiction Book, English at the 2017 International Latino Book Award with Latino Literacy Now. The book was awarded an Honorable Mention for Best Historical Fiction, English at the 2016 International Latino Book Awards with Latino Literacy Now, and was selected as a Book of the Month by Las Comadres and Friends National Latino Book Club. Eleanor is featured in the anthology, Latina Authors and Their Muses.

Eleanor currently lives in Berkeley County, West Virginia, where she is working on her second novel, The Laments, set in 1927 Old San Juan and Isla de Cabras, Puerto Rico. Look for The Laments in 2020.

BUY THE BOOK:

https://www.amazon.com/Decent-Woman-Eleanor-Parker-Sapia/dp/1941058876/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?keywords=a+decent+woman+by+eleanor+parker+sepia&qid=1576099888&sr=8-1-fkmr0