Under normal circumstances, I refrain from such communications during the intermediate days of the Sukkot festival.
This year, however, I cannot hold back.
I begin by thanking the thousands of donors from around the world who have made our critical, early emergency relief efforts possible.
Apart from the monetary support you provided to alleviate the human suffering of the people of Puerto Rico, you gave us the courage and heart at the height of a desperate humanitarian crisis to step up and make a significant impact through direct contact with the most vulnerable families. Now, nearly twenty days on and having just concluded the first days of the Sukkot festival, our resolve and determination to help our neighbors has only grown and we stand ready to continue.
We turn to you once again on behalf of the people who depend on us and ask that you make a gift to our hurricane relief efforts. You were the first donors who understood that Chabad consists of people on the ground who will do whatever it takes to help another human being; We will not let up anytime soon, and we know that we have found our equal in you, a partner who will stand by with us and those we help.
If you have yet to donate to our relief efforts, please give whatever you can today at this most critical time. Please donate TODAY at ChabadPR.com/Relief and follow our relief efforts on Facebook at fb.com/chabadpr. Here is a link to a recent article about us in the NJ Jewish Standard.
From the bottom of our hearts and the hearts of all those we have helped together, Thank YOU!
Here are a few messages we recently received:
- “Chabad, my sincere thank you for sending the State of Florida Police to my mother's house in Rincon. She was shocked and happy to see that someone reached out to her…”
- “Bless you all! I found your non-profit organization on FB. My family just left the Chabad with diapers, food, and water and his daughter and grandchildren called me from PR overjoyed with all your help...”
- “You have not hesitated, but stepped in to help all the people of Puerto Rico.”
- “Thank you, G-d, for sending our Jewish brothers to help the Puerto Rican people in times of need.”
- “We stayed by Chabad yesterday, and the Rabbi helped us get a hotel nearby. I love your staff there. Everyone is so caring and helpful!!”
On the upside, Puerto Rico is exhibiting small signs of a return to normal life. Daily, the skies are filled with planes bringing food and provisions, and finally, gas is once again flowing. But the stubborn food lines persist, and people are still scrambling for drinkable water which remains scarce.
We are pleased to report that we are receiving some much-needed supplies arriving today from the State of Florida. This will continue to enable us to provide aid to some very desperate communities we have been working with closely. We will also be giving immediate cash aid in the form of $100 gift cards to be used at large retailers for the purchase of basic, life-sustaining food products.
In addition, we have been supporting and collaborating with a special unit of the Florida State Police which has been making daily search and rescue missions across the Island. The continuous reports of entire inland communities in dire straits have been very distressing, and we are exploring ways to help them with an immediate infusion of aid but with an eye to the future with sustainable programs and initiatives to help solve the longer-term issues they face. LET THE REBUILDING BEGIN!!
I would like to thank our many volunteers, staff, partner organizations and private individuals who have been so devoted and passionate, working together to help our community these past few weeks. Special mention goes to Levid Ortiz - Director PR4PR, Goldy Retchkiman - Vice Chairperson of Florida WIZO and the volunteers of WIZO, David Levy, Idan Lavon (traveling to Israel… we will miss you,) Wilfredo Delgado, Gilberto Guzman, Elisheva Ramirez, Christina Polona, Sonia Fuentes, Roxanne Fuentes, Joseph Waks and the many Student volunteers in FL who have been loading the pallets, and our family who have tirelessly helped coordinate relief efforts from the mainland.
Thank you again for empowering us, and we look with hope towards brighter days ahead.