Donations for victims in Puerto Rico from NH friends and family stuck in limbo

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Nico Daneault, left, and Yari Rodriguez, right, have collected much-needed items at the Central Little League club house to send to those in need in Puerto Rico. Now, they’re stuck in limbo.

MANCHESTER, NH – Yaritza Rodriguez hasn’t heard from her family in Puerto Rico in days. Her home country was hit with a double whammy – Hurricane Maria left the island ravaged on the heels of Hurricane Irma, creating what is quickly becoming a humanitarian crisis. Because it is a U.S. territory, the United States government has promised help through FEMA, and the Red Cross is also mobilizing volunteers, but by all estimates, it will take months to restore power and normalcy. Meanwhile, people are in desperate need of essentials, including basic food and water. Many politicians are calling for the Department of Defense to step up relief efforts.

Rodriguez is frustrated. Last week she arranged with a Massachusetts cargo company to deliver donated dry goods for free. On Monday, she started working on a Plan B, after that company informed her that their cargo container was full, and that it would cost her $3,400 or more to send the few pallets of water, diapers, batteries,rice, and canned goods that have been generously donated.


⇒UPDATE: Donations for Puerto Rico may get moving with push from the NH National Guard


 

“I have someone who wants to donate a generator, but I’m reluctant to have him drop it off now,” Rodriguez said from the Central Little League Clubhouse, which was designated as donation central. “We even had a box truck lined up, but now we’re stuck.”

Rodriguez says she has appealed to the mayor’s office, and is hoping Governor Chris Sununu can intervene.

“My father, who was in the military, suggested maybe someone from Pease Air Force base could help. There has to be a way. People are suffering, especially where my family is located, south of the island,” Rodriguez said.

Jose Pantgo and Francheska Rivera showed up at the club house with several cases of water, some bags of white rice and canned sausages. 

“We have family in Puerto Rico,” said Pantgo, as he made a second trip with another case of water.

Rodriguez and her friend, Nico Daneault, who both volunteer for the Little League, are hoping for a miracle – someone with connections, or room on a cargo vessel, to help bring a little relief from friends and family in New Hampshire to loved ones who are isolated and in need.

“I’ve been calling around. It seems like everyone is jacking up their prices because of the disaster, it even says so on their websites, that the price of cargo transport is up. It seems like there should be a better way to get these things to those in need,” Rodriguez says.

If you can help, contact Rodriguez at 603-341-0817, or find her via the Central Little League Facebook page.

About this Author

Carol Robidoux

PublisherManchester Ink Link

Longtime NH journalist and publisher of ManchesterInkLink.com. Loves R&B, German beer, and the Queen City!