Canfield woman works with foundation to aid Chile

CANFIELD — A Mahoning Valley woman is using her ties in local communities to make a difference in her native Chile.

After hearing of the earthquake that struck Saturday, Paulina Montaldo of Canfield said members of Pittsburgh-based Brother’s Brother Foundation contacted her. The foundation asked for her help to raise awareness and money in the Youngstown area.

“I am very involved in the local Chilean community,” Montaldo said. “At this point the idea is to get money because the Chilean government hasn’t decided what kind of help they’re going to need from other countries.

“They want to see what they can do on their own once they assess the damages.”

President Michelle Bachelet declared parts of her country catastrophe zones after the reported 8.8 magnitude quake struck at about 3:30 a.m. local time Saturday.

“You can see bridges and older structures that are on the ground,” Montaldo said.

Montaldo, who moved to the United State from Chile nine years ago, said she spoke with Chilean government representatives Saturday evening who said the death toll had reached more than 200.

Read more in Sunday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com