HAZLET, NJ — The last round of donations has officially been collected for a Hazlet firefighter's relief donation drive for those affected by the summer earthquakes in Venezuela.
On June 24, a pair of earthquakes struck the nation, knocking down buildings and homes and leading to thousands of deaths and injuries.
Currently, the national death toll stands around 6,300 people, according to a report from Reuters. The earthquakes were respectively 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude.
In the wake of this devastation, Hazlet Firefighter Gabriele Amato started a donation drive to collect essential supplies for those affected by the earthquakes.
On Aug. 6, he completed the last round of donations and dropped them off at Lulla's Bakery in Brooklyn, NY, which has been helping to coordinate the sorting, preparation, and shipping of pallets for Venezuela relief efforts.
According to Amato, this final drop-off included approximately 20 boxes, bags, and bulk packages of donated supplies, including baby supplies, diapers, wipes, hygiene products, pet food, and other essential items.
"I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported this effort," Amato said. "Seeing people from Hazlet, Monmouth County, and the surrounding area come together to help families they may never meet was incredibly meaningful."
"I am very grateful to everyone who donated, shared the information, helped pack, helped collect, or simply helped spread the word," he continued. "Every donation and every act of kindness mattered."
Previous Coverage
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Holmdel Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.