Students' Efforts for Puerto Rico

October 25, 2017

In addition to the Breakfast Phone Rally, Dana Zappetti, Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Weill Cornell Medical students, Karina Ruiz-Esteves, Amanda Acosta-Ruiz, and Raul Martínez-McFaline organized collection drives in response to the growing needs of Puerto Ricans in desperate need of food, and basic necessities. Generous donations from the campus community resulted in the collection of 2,110 diapers, 1,728 feminine hygiene products, 1,595 first aid supplies, 348 batteries and flashlights, 328 food items, 332 hygiene items, 253 baby food items, 176 school supply items, 45 package of baby wipes, 15 liters of water, and 2 bags of clothing. Karina, Amanda, and Raul thank the Weill Cornell community immensely with the following note: "Gracias! Thank you for standing with us during these difficult times. We are continuing to work for Puerto Rico in different ways; please keep an eye out for our future events!" Donations were given to Puerto Rican Family Institute, an organization in New York that works directly with Feeding America and el Banco de Alimentos de Puerto Rico. Students also organized a fund raiser with a local business hosting "Trivia Night" in efforts to raise funds for Puerto Rico. The donations collected amounted to more than $2200. All contributions were sent to "Students With Puerto Rico", an organization created by Puerto Rican students pursuing education in the United States. This organization was able to raise $250,000 which will be sent to Unidos por Puerto Rico to specifically buy water filters since the island is facing shortages of clean water.

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