Chef Yolanda Yax expresses her gratitude for the large amount of donations made for the victims of the volcano eruption in Guatemala. (Photo provided to El Diario)
Guatemalan-led organizations in New York and New Jersey are mobilizing their volunteers to collect, pack and deliver aid to victims in a vast farming area of their country that was devastated by the eruption of the Fuego volcano.
Linda Lino, a volunteer at the Casa Yurumein Garífuna organization in the Bronx, explained that the donations they have already received include milk, diapers and nonperishable food, but they are in need of first-aid supplies such as gauze, masks, protective eyewear and, especially, burn cream.
“We ask that you help with whatever you can,” said Lino. “At around 10:30 p.m., after a long day at the donation center, someone came by to drop off two cans of milk, which is greatly appreciated because it is much needed. There are many children in need.”
In addition to Casa Yurumein (located at 874 Prospect Ave. and open from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.) there is another collection point nearby at CASABE Multiservices, whose owner José Allen will donate the shipping of the cargo by sea. The center is also open during the afternoon and evening.
In order to ensure that the aid will reach the people in need, Lino said that the shipment will be received in Guatemala by Salvador Lara, whose son is a firefighter in the disaster area.
She added that the organization and other community leaders attended a meeting at the Guatemala Consulate on Friday at 6:00 p.m.
Donations for those affected by the volcano eruption in Guatemala. (Photo courtesy of Esly Guity via El Diario)
Juan Carlos Pocasangre, the president of Guatemaltecos en New York, Inc. (G.E.N.Y.), said that the network has set up donation centers across the tri-state area and that they are asking for medication and first-aid supplies, as well as diapers, blankets and nonperishable food.
Another way to help is in the form of monetary gifts through GoFundMe, at www.gofundme.com/volcano-eruption-emergency-help. The money will be used to support rescue physicians, brigades and firefighters, provide supplies and coordinate with artists and psychologists to accompany children and adults in shelters.
The focus will also be on buying masks, protective eyewear and cleaning gloves, sanitary pads, damp towels, gauze and burn cream.
Drop-off sites are located at:
49 Lake St.
Belleville, NJ 07109
(732) 829-2214
40-28 58th St.
Queens, NY 11377
(347) 678-3684
188 Broadway (back of the building)
Long Branch, NJ 07740
(973) 896-3256
One of the people who have fully devoted their time to collecting donations is Chef Yolanda Yax, known for her YouTube show “Cocinando con Yolandita.” Her Jamaica, Queens, home has become a collection center from where she expects to be able to send out a great amount of donations this coming Monday. Her sister Angie and the owners of the house are helping out.
Where can you drop off donations:
- 144-17 88th Ave, Jamaica, Queens, NY 11435 (Yolandita)
- 655 Brooklyn Ave, Baldwin, NY 11510 (Zulma Torres)
- 30 Eastchester RD New Rochelle NY 10801 (Susan Maldonado)
- 5808 Washington St., West New York NJ 07093 (Jóvenes Nueva Vida)
- 69 Udall Drive Northern Boulevard, Great Neck, NY 11020 (Lesli)
- 224 Acorn Ave. Central Islip, NY 11722 (Tito)
- 39 Norte Day St, Orange, NJ 07050, (America Express)
- 353 48 St., Apt. 2, Brooklyn, NY 11220 (Rosy García)
(Photo courtesy of Esly Guity via El Diario)
If you want to help:
- To volunteer, call (347) 749-5736
- Also, the Iglesia Jóvenes Cristianos (Young Christians Pentecostal Church) whose parish is mostly formed by Guatemalans from the country’s highlands, will open its doors in Brooklyn (8700 18 Ave., Brooklyn, New York 11214), New Jersey (651 Marshall St., Elizabeth, NJ) and Long Island (1417 Islip Ave., Central Islip, New York) to collect donations. They plan to send a delegation to the affected city of Escuintla.