FOR THEIR ROLE IN ENHANCING RELIEF FOR PUERTO RICO

Buffalo, New York – As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to an end, Mayor Byron W. Brown today recognized the local partnerships that came together quickly in the Buffalo area to support and help the millions of displaced people in Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.

Mayor Brown stated, “As the City of Buffalo concludes its annual month-long recognition of the Hispanic Heritage Culture, we continue to pray for our friends and loved ones in Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. We also recognize the many individuals and organizations in our community for their immediate response in stepping forward to help the millions of displaced people by providing life-saving supplies and significant monetary donations. With the help of these volunteers, coordinators and donors, we are able to show the people of Puerto Rico why Buffalo truly is the City of Good Neighbors.”

On Wednesday, September 20, 2017, catastrophic, category 4 Hurricane Maria made direct impact across the island of Puerto Rico. It left the entire island without electricity and knocked down cell towers, stopping all communications and other major damage. Mayor Brown, in partnership with Western New York Latino Leaders, strategized on how to best serve the victims of Hurricane Maria.

Multiple donation centers were set up, collecting items for emergency relief at Buffalo City Hall, County Buildings, ECC, as well as at the Belle Center in Buffalo, St. Anthony’s Church in Lackawanna, and a number of Buffalo City Schools. The items were transported to the Connecticut Street Armory and, as arranged by Governor Andrew Cuomo, will be flown to Puerto Rico. A bank account, managed through The Belle Center, was also established at M & T Bank with Tax-deductible donation checks made payable to the Puerto Rico Hurricane Maria Relief Fund.

To date, the donation drive collected over 7 tons of food, 8,270 gallons of water and raised $51,441 in monetary donations. Residents also generously donated 28,450 paper products and personal items including batteries, flashlights, candles, paper products, matches, lighters, manual can openers, tarps, blankets, portable radios, portable lanterns, diapers, baby wipes and feminine hygiene products.

Today, Mayor Brown recognized the following individuals for their role in the local relief effort.

Edwin Martinez and Fernando Martinez

Panorama Hispano News

David  A. Rivera

Majority Leader City of Buffalo

LUCY CANDELARIO

Executive Director, The Belle Center

OSWALDO MESTRE JR.

Chief Service Officer

WILMER OLIVENCIA JR.

President, Agustin PUCHO Olivencia Community Center

CHITO OLIVENCIA

Agustin PUCHO Olivencia Community Center

TAMARA ALSACE

Secretary, Hispanic Heritage Council of WNY

NADIA PIZARRO JOSE PIZARRO

President, Latino Veterans

MARITZA VEGA

Vice President, Hispanic Heritage Council of WNY

GILBERT HERNANDEZ ANDY GARCIA

1. JOSE G. RIVERA
2. GLISET COLÓN

SUNY Buffalo State

LUIS RODRIGUEZ

Board Member, The Belle Center

CHARLIE TORRES and JOHN SANABRIA

Director, Hispanic Heritage Council of WNY

ERICA LEON PAGAN

Director, Hispanic Heritage Council of WNY

FREDDIE PAGAN DINORAH SANTOS

The Belle Center

ANA LEON-RODRIGUEZ

The Belle Center

PALMIRA ORTIZ

Office of State Senator Timothy Kennedy

ISABEL BONET ANN FIGUEROA

SHEILA BROWN

WUFO

JENNIFER PARKER

JacksonParker Communications

MAJOR JEFFREY FIORITO

New York Army National Guard

SGT. JAMES RUSSELL

New York Army National Guard

VIVIANA COLONDRES-YANTIN

Agustin Pucho Olivencia Community Center

ABDUEL IBRAHIM

Mayor Byron Brown’s Urban Fellow Program

HERMAN GARCIA

Garcia’s Home Improvement

ANTONIO REGULIER

Americorps VISTA

JAMES KPAINAY

Americorps VISTA

THROSBY WELLS

Americorps VISTA

MALIK STUBBS

Americorps VISTA

RAHEL BELETE

Americorps VISTA

YAN DUAN

Americorps VISTA

CLIFFORD CANONO

Americorps VISTA

GAIA OLIVER

Americorps VISTA

MADISEN HUGHES

Americorps VISTA

DYLAN STEED

Americorps VISTA