Saturday, September 30, 2017
CAMPBELL
After withstand- ing devastating Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico is battered, and its people – American citizens – have struggled to survive in the aftermath.
In response to the widespread destruction and a perceived delayed response from the Trump administration, local organizations with ties to the island and the broader Latino and Hispanic community are organizing fundraisers and donation drives to help mitigate the suffering.
The relief effort is personal for these business owners: Jeanette Morales, owner of Papa’s Puerto Rican Cuisine, a bar; and Salvatore Melfi, owner of Nicky’s, a pizzeria; both have numerous family members in Puerto Rico.
“I’ll be collecting for as long as I know they need supplies and can accept them,” Morales said. “I’ll do whatever I can.”
At Nicky’s, Lady Melfi, Salvatore’s mother and a worker at the pizza shop, said she has more than 80 relatives between her cousins and their children and grandchildren living in Puerto Rico, many in heavily impacted regions of the island.
Morales’ immediate family, including her mother, father and brother, are in Puerto Rico. She said her brother is a doctor and has been telling her stories of individuals dying from lack of access to medical care and of children suffering from dehydration. Morales asked that donors contribute nonperishables, canned foods and can openers.
Papa’s began collecting donations for the island and victims in Texas of Hurricane Harvey the day the storm hit and will continue to collect through the end of October. Donors can drop off donations at the bar, 284 12th St., Campbell. Friday night, the bar’s employees donated their tips, and patrons were encouraged to donate their own money to the pot or to buy 50/50 raffle tickets. Morales said the bar would match the donations.
Nicky’s will continue to collect until Oct. 15 at the pizza shop, 1916 McCartney Road, Campbell, and will combine its collection with Savo Bar and Grille, 2800 South Ave., where items also are being collected. The bar – owned by Gina Griffin, Melfi’s sister – is hosting a “fill the truck” event Oct. 15 to collect donations that will feature music, drink specials and free food.
Also Friday evening, the Organacion Civica y Cultural Hispana Americana, a social services organization, had a planning meeting in Youngstown to begin the process of sending help to Puerto Rico.
Consuelo Mendez, president of the OCCHA board of trustees, addressed the crowd of approximately 100, saying the group would have an Oct. 15 event to raise money and donations for the island.
She said that while donations are always helpful, monetary gifts are preferred as they can be more versatile in addressing specific needs.
For those interested in donating to OCCHA, they can drop off supplies at the center at 3660 Shirley Road, or they can wait to donate during the Oct. 15 event.
Each organization is networking with relief groups to ensure that material and financial donations are delivered to the island.