Tuscaloosa Businessman Raising Funds To Aid Colombian Earthquake Victims

TUSCALOOSA, AL — A Tuscaloosa businessman is raising money to provide disaster relief supplies to families in Colombia following the devastating magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck the country earlier this week.

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Jheovanny Gomez, the co-owner of Jalapeños Mexican Grill, has launched a GoFundMe with a $10,000 goal and said he and his wife, Johana, plan to travel to Colombia in the coming weeks to help communities affected by the disaster.

As of Friday morning, the GoFundMe launched by Gomez had raised more than $8,500 from 68 donations.

"All our hearts are heavy with so much devastation," he told Patch on Friday. "So many people and neighbors that not only lost family members but also lost everything they had.

The earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, Aug. 10, with the U.S. Geological Survey placing its magnitude at 7.4 and its epicenter about 5 kilometers south of San José del Palmar.

According to the latest reporting, the death toll from the earthquake is nearing 300, with thousands of homes destroyed.

For Gomez, the disaster struck particularly close to his heart.

"Colombia, my other home," Gomez wrote in the fundraiser, explaining that his family members had all been accounted for and were safe following the earthquake.

However, he said many families were not as fortunate.

Gomez said the destruction prompted him and his wife to make plans to travel to Colombia and personally assist with relief efforts.

According to the fundraiser, money donated to the campaign will be used to purchase disaster relief supplies once Gomez arrives in Colombia. He said he intends to personally distribute the supplies to people affected by the earthquake rather than simply sending the money overseas.

Gomez also credited the support he and his family have received from their community in the United States as part of his motivation to help.

"I feel a responsibility to step up and do whatever I can for the people of Colombia," Gomez wrote.

Gomez encouraged those unable to contribute financially to share the fundraiser, stressing that even small donations could help provide supplies for families who lost homes and belongings in the disaster.

Click here to donate to the GoFundMe.

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