Gandara Center hosts necessities drive for quake-stricken Puerto RicoDate: 1/14/2020 GREATER SPRINGFIELD – In light of the 6.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Puerto Rico on Jan. 7, wreaking havoc and destruction on the island, the Springfield-based Gándara Center is launching a “water and basic necessities” drive.
The Gándara Center provides culturally-sensitive healthcare, substance use, prevention and educational services to underserved communities of color in Massachusetts, a large portion of which have ties to Puerto Rico.
Jade Rivera-McFarlin, director of Marketing & Development for the Gándara Center, said that serving communities whose first language is not English requires hiring people to translate for them.
“We do a lot of recruitment from [Puerto Rico],” Rivera-McFarlin said. “It’s our family that’s down there.”
The Gándara Center mobilized and built a support network after Hurricane Maria devastated the island in September 2017. Rather than providing aid through large organizations, such as the American Red Cross, Rivera-McFarlin said they are reaching out to state Rep. Carlos Gonzalez and dealing directly with people with whom they have worked in the past.
“Since we have connections to that part of the island,” Rivera-McFarlin said, referring to the southwest coast near the towns of Guanica and Indios where the earthquakes have been clustered, “we can get [aid] there as efficiently as possible.”
It has been widely reported that one person was killed in the quake, while others have been injured and buildings have sustained damage. The United States Geological Survey reports that hundreds of smaller earthquakes have struck Puerto Rico in recent weeks.
The center is asking for donations of potable water and unopened, new toiletries. The following items are being collected until Jan. 22:
• bottled/boxed water
• first aid kits
• shampoo and conditioner
• toothpaste and toothbrushes
• dental floss
• baby wipes
• hand sanitizer
• soap
•feminine supplies
• flashlights and batteries
• solar powered lights
• diapers
• deodorant
Donations can be dropped off at the Gándara Center’s offices at 147 Norman St., West Springfield, and 80 Commercial St., Holyoke. Monetary donations are also being accepted and checks can be made payable to Gándara Center with “2020 Help for P.R.” in the memo field.
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