Ruben Estrada, left, listens as State Supreme Court Justice Maria
Vazquez-Doles discusses the
plight of the residents of Puerto Rico. Middletown School Board
Member Kevin Gomez, right, listens in.
MIDDLETOWN – Several community,religious and political leaders
of Puerto Rican heritage have banded together to form Helping Hands for
Puerto Rico.
For State Supreme Court Justice Maria Vazquez-Doles, the conditions on
the ravaged island are personal. Her 80-year-old father lives there and
she has not been able to reach him. “I don’t know if he is
dead or alive,” she said on Thursday.
Barbara Martinez’s elderly grandmother also lives on the island
and she has not been able to contact her.
A group of community leaders, including Orange County Health Commissioner
Dr. Eli Avila, Ruben Estrada, Middletown School Board Member Kevin Gomez
and Pastor Carmito Pabon gathered at Inglasia Pentecostal Ebenezer Church
in Middletown to urge community support for the 3.4 million residents
of the island.
The island remains without electricity and communications and areas are
still flooded, which is a concern of Dr. Avila, who said the waters carry
diseases.
The group wants to get solar-powered portable lights and water decontamination
equipment to the island ASAP.
While relief supplies are being brought to the island, they are not reaching
the people, said Pastor Pabon, who noted roads remain impassable, and
truck drivers are needed to bring the supplies to residents.
“We cannot wait. Our goal is to save lives now,” said Justice
Vazquez-Doles.
