Hartford community collects more than 30 boxes of supplies for Colombia earthquake relief
A Hartford community turned concern into action Sunday, collecting more than 30 boxes of essential supplies for people affected by the earthquakes in Colombia.
Organizer Clarissa Heredia said she and her friends Maria and Alessandra planned the donation drive less than a week ago.
“I said, hey, guys, like, I really want to do something. We do a lot for the Hartford community, but it still wouldn’t feel right if we didn’t do anything for our family and friends,” Heredia said.
The three-hour drive wrapped up at 11 a.m. after collecting canned and non-perishable food, baby formula, diapers and other baby supplies, personal care products, first-aid and emergency supplies, blankets, flashlights, pet food and other essential items.
Heredia said the Hartford Police Department, Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam and organizations in New York and Colombia are helping get the donated goods to Colombia.
Once the supplies arrive, people already on the ground will help distribute them to some of the hardest-hit areas, including Cali.
For Heredia, who is Colombian, the effort is personal.
“I have chills just talking about it, because people are really coming. There’s people that are crying because they can’t go back home. And this is a way for them to be able to give back,” Heredia said. “We have friends, family that unfortunately, due to circumstances, they couldn’t fly back home. So by us doing this and then being able to bring their donations is like them being there with their families.”
Heredia said people who were unable to attend Sunday’s drive can still help by donating money or other necessary goods to support people in Colombia.
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