PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia-area organizations have raised thousands of dollars to help with Hurricane Fiona relief in Puerto Rico, but officials say their work is far from over.
Ashleen Castillo moved from Puerto Rico to Philadelphia in January, but her heart and her family are still on the island. They have weighed on her mind since Hurricane Fiona hit them earlier in September.
“All my sisters are back home, my mother, my grandparents. All my family is back home, and it has been hard,” she said.
Castillo, who was on the island when Hurricane Maria left Puerto Rico devastated five years ago, said her work as an instructor with Philadelphia nonprofit Taller Puertorriqueño is allowing her to help those in need, with the unique insight of living through a natural disaster.
“I wanted to work with the community … being able to be here in Taller Puertorriqueño and being able to be that resource,” said Castillo.
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Dominic Moret, the organization’s cultural enrichment manager, said they’re working side-by-side with other nonprofits in Philadelphia to help Puerto Rico.
“On our side, we’ve been accepting monetary donations to help in the relief efforts,” he said.
“For some people [in Philadelphia], it’s their home island. They told us that they really want to give those efforts to where they grew up, or to people they feel like really deserve assistance for this.”
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They have raised $15,000, given directly to boots-on-the-ground charities in Puerto Rico to reach those most affected by the hurricane.
“Helping out with getting basic supplies to people,” Moret said. “Sometimes they help out revitalizing certain damages to homes. Sometimes they’ll help out by giving people food and shelter and amenities that may not be available to them currently.”
He added that they are asking more Philadelphians to get involved to help people in Puerto Rico, many of whom are still without electricity.