Pair From Woburn Accepting Donations For Puerto Rico Relief Effort

WOBURN, MA -- Two Woburn residents have organized a relief effort to help people in Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Maria, which battered the island last week. Jose Diaz and William Velasquez, both of Woburn, are working with friends, families and neighbors to collect critical supplies that are scare in Puerto Rico.

The Puerto Rico Disaster Relief Drive is seeking donations bottled water, canned food, canned mil, hygiene products, baby formula, baby wipes, first aid kits, pillows, blankets, towels, mosquito repellent, baby and adult diapers, adult and baby pain relief medicine, pet food, flashlights, batteries, garbage bags and clothes.

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Donations can be dropped on Saturday, September 30, from 8 am to 3 pm in the rectory parking lot at Saint Charles Church at 280 Main St. in Woburn. For more information, contact Jose Diaz at prdisasterrelief@gmail.com or see the event flyer, which is also available in Spanish.

The storm has nearly shutdown the economy of the U.S. territory and it could take weeks for people who are low on cash and supplies to get aid. Many residents are worrying that it will become even harder to survive on the island, and a total recovery could take years.

Photo by Ramon Espinosa/Associated Press

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites).