By Naeisha Rose
Mayor Bill de Blasio, charter schools, the NYPD and Resorts World Casino New York City are continuing to do what they can to support Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands this week as many citizens try to rebuild after the devastation of three hurricanes over the course of three months.
Resorts World Casino and the NYPD announced Wednesday a team effort to raise crucial donations for Puerto Rico, which still lacked electricity on 80 percent of the island this week.
The NYPD has set up a drive to collect diapers, baby food, batteries, first aid supplies, feminine hygiene products, baby wipes/disinfectant, battery-operated flashlights/lanterns, canned food/dry goods, work gloves/latex gloves and masks at the casino’s parking lot located at 110-00 Rockaway Blvd. in South Ozone Park.
That same day the New York City Charter School Center announced that students and faculty would send a combined 14 tons of essential goods to Puerto Rico, which would also include baby formula and bottled water.
Charters from Queens are sending 1.5 tons worth of supplies, according to the center’s CEO James Merriman. Manhattan charter schools are sending 1.5 tons, Bronx schools are sending 7.5 tons, and Brooklyn schools are sending 3.5 tons of materials.
“The generosity of these NYC charter schools exemplifies the sector’s commitment to reaching beyond their front doors and partnering with their communities,” Merriman said. “We are proud of New York City’s charter school families for standing in solidarity and supporting our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico in their time of need.”
The mayor declared he was opening a service center for victims from Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and other Caribbean islands that were displaced by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria on Monday. The Julia De Burgos Latino Cultural Center located at 1680 Lexington Ave. in Manhattan was to open this Thursday, according to de Blasio. The in-person support center will operate from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Individuals or families planning to visit the center can make an appointment on nyc.gov or by calling 311 as soon as Oct. 18.
“New York City will help those affected by recent hurricanes in any way we can. We’ve been sending donations and emergency responders to affected areas, and now we’re setting up a central location to help displaced people in our city receive essential services and assistance,” said de Blasio.
Recipients will receive services from the departments of Social Services, Health and Mental Hygiene, Education and the Aging, according to the mayor. There will also be assistance from The New York Disaster Interfaith Services, Animal Care and Control, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and the Human Resource Administration’s Office of Civil Justice.
Reach reporter Naeisha Rose by e-mail at nrose
