SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (ABC4 Utah) – State officials are teaming up with local charities and businesses to help those suffering in Puerto Rico, but they need your help.
Most on the hurricane ravaged island are still trying to get by without the basics.
“We have 29% of the people there that are without water, 71% without electricity,” said Governor Gary Hebert, (R) Utah.
That’s why the governor is calling on Utahns to act. He says neighbor helping neighbor is the Utah way.
“We’re not going to sit idly by when we have opportunities to help,” said Herbert.
The governor helped roll out a massive volunteer effort to get that help to Puerto Rico. One that will contribute for the long haul.
“In Puerto Rico, they are months and maybe even years away from being recovered from this disaster, so our goal is to have a sustainable effort to send multiple waves of volunteers to go out and make a big difference,” said Organizer Brad Herbert.
As part of the Light Up Puerto Rico campaign, the first wave of 40 volunteers is expected to hit the ground in mid-November.
They will be armed with solar powered generators, and other items to help families get their homes up and running again.
“When the power turns on in their house, they take these to another house, to someone who doesn’t have power. And that’s one at a time, just helping one family at a time,” said Lt. Governor Spencer Cox, (R) Utah.
Those volunteers will pay their own way, and the products will be purchased with private donations.
Cari Alvarado, who was born and raised in Puerto Rico has traveled back and seen the need first hand.
“For us to see how really devastated is the island breaks our heart, but this makes us happy,” said Alvarado.
