Local businesses from across Ridgewood are teaming up to help provide the citizens of Puerto Rico with much-needed relief to help rebuild the island after Hurricane Maria devastated the area in September.
Jenny Badillo, owner and operator of International Boxing & Fitness Club in Ridgewood, is hosting the Salsa Social Hurricane Disaster event on Sunday, Oct. 15 at the boxing club located at 1712 Weirfield St., from 2 to 6 p.m.
Her boxing club will be collaborating with “Nueva York Unidos con Puerto Rico” and the NYPD to collect monetary donations as well as physical donations of items such as water, diapers, toiletries, canned foods, school supplies, medical supplies and more.
During the four-hour event, there will be a small boxing exhibition, live salsa music by four bands, a picture signing by undefeated professional boxer and Ridgewood native Mathew Gonzalez, and food for sale from neighborhood restaurants.
Entry to the event is free for everyone who brings in a donation.
All proceeds from the event will be donated to St. John Baptist’s hurricane relief funds, while all material donations will be picked up by the NYPD on Monday, Oct. 16, and transported to Puerto Rico for those in need.
“This will be a very exciting event demonstrating the strength in the community and recognizing unity,” Badillo said.
Many other people, organizations and elected officials from all around Queens are still pitching in with events and fundraisers to support the people of Puerto Rico.
