3Cares: Connecticut Helps Puerto Rico

(WFSB) - Hurricane Fiona devastated Puerto Rico and it left thousands of people in need of help.

Channel 3 is teaming up with Bomba Radio and the Coalition of Connecticut Puerto Rican Day Parades and Festivals for a 3Cares event to collect donations to help hurricane victims.

Four events to collect money have been scheduled:

• Friday 9/23 @ Cherry Valley Marketplace 155 Thomaston Ave, Waterbury, CT (3p-5p)
• Saturday 9/24 @ Hip Stop Clothing 693 Park St. Hartford, CT (12p-2p)
• Saturday 9/24 @ Food Zone 355 Belmont Ave. Springfield, MA (4p-6p)
• Sunday 9/25 @ Latin Quarters Restaurant 80 Broadway, Norwich, CT (3p-5p)

If you would like to help the efforts and donate, click here.

Channel 3 spoke to Joe Rodriguez with Puerto Ricans United. He said if people work together, a huge difference can be made for the storm victims.

“It’s important to support local efforts, one, so that we can stimulate the economy by purchasing on the island, and two, we’re enhancing the efforts that are already happening on the island,” Rodriguez said.

Hurricane Fiona landed in Puerto Ricco as a category one storm that dumped more than two feet of rain in some parts.

The heavy rain caused landslides and roads to collapse.

Several days later, the struggle continues.

“He’s actually coming back right now from fixing the generator when the gas starts running low, or if you need more oil it will start flickering or overheating and then he has to switch the gas tank. Last night we had to change around 10:30, then by 3:30 in the night he had to change it again. So he really doesn’t sleep good to be honest with you,” said Mary and Lourdes Cantwell, New Haven residents.

Mary and Lourdes, mother and daughter, are visiting Hector, Mary’s father, on the island for the sake of his insulin and his life.

Once his lights start to flicker, Hector has to fix the generators as soon as possible to avoid the fridge from shutting off.

“Honestly, this is frustrating. After Maria, they went through so much without power for 3 months. I feel like they have that fear, you know, if it’s going to happen again,” said Lourdes.

Hurricane Maria was the storm that smashed into the island exactly five years ago to the week.

This is why Channel 3 wants to help collect funds which will go directly to several non-profits on the ground.

“One is a health organization, one is a hospital, and one is a nature and environment group that are going to work on replanting the trees and damaged areas. We want folks to give directly to them, so they can use those resources today in their community,” said Rafael Roman, President of the Waterbury Puerto Rican Day Festival and Committee.

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