PUERTO RICO: SOLVING A PROBLEM LIKE MARIA
by Loy Bernal Carlos
Laura Posada, master life coach and TV celebrity, reported that both of them have been raising and delivering essentials goods to the island. “Also, we have focused on transporting more than 200 patients with urgent medical needs-chemotherapy, dialysis, and other critical care–to Miami, at no charge to them”.
In November, they held a celebrity fundraising event at Hunt & Fish Club that drew new and former athletes. That evening alone raised approximately $200,000.
The foundation also has delivered essential goods to places that are most in need. Recipients of donations include the Children’s Hospital in Guaynabo, Girls Home in Cupey, Christian Center Bet-el, and the elderly in the town of Corozal. Door to door delivery has also reached the western town of San Sebastian and Ponce.
Shipments of supplies–like water, canned food, 30,000 lbs of chicken, thousands of jello and yogurt, 90,000 cans of canned chicken–were also delivered to Carmen Yulin, the mayor of San Juan for distribution to those in dire need.
The foundation is now working on a plan to purchase and deliver medication to previously selected hospitals in the island. For Laura, whose father is a diabetic requiring insulin, the need to provide basic medical assistance is particularly poignant.
This month, Jorge and Laura launched a new initiative in collaboration with The Estates at Acqualina, an ultra-luxury development in Sunny Isles, Miami, which is undergoing renovation. “The Estates at Acqualina is donating everything from beds, dressers and tables and chairs to lamps, refrigerators, microwave ovens and Flat Screen TVs,” said the Posadas. “All the furniture will be delivered to families in the beginning of 2018 and we are confident that we will truly make a difference for thousands of families in need.”
Longtime Yankee teammate and friend, Derek Jeter and his own charitable foundation Turn 2, also joined the cause. “We are going to donate furniture to the families affected in the Florida Keys and will also donate furniture to families who have relocated from Puerto Rico to the Miami area,” said Jeter.
In keeping with the spirit of the holidays, the Posadas and Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief Fund has also teamed up with Wicked Cool Toys to donate more than 10,000 toys to the children of Puerto Rico who were hardest hit by the hurricane. “We are honored to join Laura and Jorge Posada to help families in Puerto Rico during the holiday season,” said Michael Rinzler and Jeremy Padawer, co-presidents of Wicked Cool Toys. “We are disheartened by the situation there and hope to lift children’s spirits by making their holiday season more joyful.”
But funds are still very much needed. “Puerto Rico still needs your help. The Fund is still open for new donations through:
youcaring.com/lauraandjorgeposada,” concludes Jorge.
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