I lay in my bed a little after 11:30 p.m. with the lights off and the brightness of my phone on low. The darkness consumes me as a single light pole outside my window lets a yellowish softness through the creases of my blindes. There is a mirror adjacent to my bed reflecting only the small areas of my face lit up by my screen. My thumb scrolls through my Facebook feed with a steady speed passing random cat videos, brochures of my next travel destinations, political bickering, National Geographic’s latest expeditions, and plenty of news regarding the latest hurricanes and natural disasters. Wiggling my legs from out of my comforter to turn over onto my belly, my thumb came to a complete halt. It was as if my thumb felt the shock that my eyes saw at the sight of the photograph.
Being an artist and photographer I know very well the impact and emotion a single photograph can generate. In that very moment laying on my bed 2048 pixels spoke more than any presidential speech I have attempted to listen to in the past few days. This photograph did not need a caption or any type of context; It was quite explicit with its message.
At a bird’s eye view, the muted grays gave me the chills. Two streets ran perpendicular to each other directing the eye to their point of intersection. My eyes fixated on the three letters painted in white, “S.O.S” followed by a plea for help: “Necesitamos Agua/Comida. We need Water and Food” Among the silence and desolation that the photograph conveyed I only spotted 4 figures resembling human form. Like twigs snapped in half, trees laid lifeless on the floor with architectural debris that did not withstand the power of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.
Photo by: Angelina Ruiz Lambides; an associate director of the Cayo Santiago Field Station, captured the scene while she was flying over Punta Santiago to survey the damage from Hurricane Maria.
Time stood still for me. That photograph put everything into perspective. It was all plain and simple. I needed and wanted to help. The next morning I researched all of my local news websites in hope of finding legitimate donation sites where I could contribute my time and also supplies.
I know that having so many disasters at hand can be overwhelming and in feeling overwhelmed the only action is an inaction to help. I understand.
Therefore, my solution was to pick a cause I felt passionate about and take the actions to make a small difference.
I have compiled a very few donation areas where you can do drop-offs in South Florida, websites to donate if you feel more comfortable with that, and simple every day things you can do to contribute. If any of the information provided resonates with you, simply take action! Remember, it is not always the quantity of your contribution, but your intention.
Drop-off areas for Puerto Rico in South Florida (West Palm Beach/Palm Beach area):
Greenacres Community Center:
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 1p.m., Monday-Thur 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
La Cosinita Latina in West Palm Beach:
Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday – Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Isla del Coqui in Greenacres:
Saturday 11 am to 9 p.m., Tuesday – Thursday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
PR Bakery in Lake Worth:
Saturday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday – Thursday 8 a..m to 5 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Genie’s Gymnastics in Lake Worth:
Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday – Friday 2 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
List of Necessities for Donation:
-Water,
-Batteries sizes D,C,double and triple A
-Flashlights
-Solar chargers
-Canned foods
-Cutleries
-Powder and Can milk
-Diapers
-Baby wipes
-Baby formula and Baby food
-Pedialyte
-Wet Naps
-Toiletries
-Can openers
-New blankets
-Tents
-Air Mattresses
-Mosquito Nets
-Mosquito repellents
-Sleeping Bags
-Sanitary Napkins
-OCT medicine
Websites for donations to Puerto Rico Relief:
Caritas Puerto Rico: www.caritas.org
Fundacion Comunitaria De Puerto Rico: www.fcpr.org
Hurricane Maria Children’s Relief Fund: www.savethechildren.org
Maria & Irma: Puerto Rico Real-Time Recovery Fund: http://bit.ly/2w9VBPM
Websites for donations for Mexico after the Earthquake:
Uniceff’s Earthquake Relief Efforts in Mexico: www.unicefusa.org
Mexico Earthquake Relief Fund (Global Living): www.globalliving.org
Everyday things you can do to help in any circumstances:
-Keep every victim in your prayers or meditations or talks with yourself or a higher power (if you believe in any of the latter)
– Send the victims and their countries the best of energies (positive thoughts)
– radiate love to everything and everyone, including yourself
Maybe you don’t believe in prayers, meditations, or energies, but your thoughts have power. They have the power to transmit love or hate; love or fear. If anything, spread love. Just imagine if every single person on the planet Earth woke up every morning with a positive thought directed to all the victims of poverty, natural disasters, political outrage, domestic violence, etc. That force collectively and subconsciously can transform the electromagnetic fields that scientifically surround our planet, the Universe, and each individual self. You can also take action in this manner!
If you have any other legitimate sources from which people could benefit in making a contribution please do not hesitate in commenting below and also sharing this little blog post!
As always best of energies,
~M
Sources:
Diaz, Andrea. “Puerto Rico Town’s Desperate Plea for Help Is Finally Answered.” CNN, 27 Sept. 2017, www.cnn.com/2017/09/27/us/plea-for-help-in-puerto-rico-gets-answered/index.html.
Quesada, Michelle. “Local Business Team up to Accept Donations for Puerto Rico.” WPTV, 22 Sept. 2017, www.wptv.com/news/region-c-palm-beach-county/greenacres/local-business-team-up-to-accept-donations-for-puerto-rico.
Walia, Arjun. “SCIENCE PROVES THAT HUMAN CONSCIOUSNESS AND OUR MATERIAL WORLD ARE INTERTWINED: SEE FOR YOURSELF.” Collective Evolution, 8 Mar. 2014, www.collective-evolution.com/2014/03/08/10-scientific-studies-that-prove-consciousness-can-alter-our-physical-material-world/.