MORRISTOWN, NJ — The Morristown community is coming together to help the victims of a devastating earthquake in South America.
On Thursday, Colombia and parts of Ecuador were rocked by a massive 7.3-magnitude earthquake. The quake ravaged infrastructure, left roughly 4,500 people injured, and killed at least 300.
As the country tries to recover, Morristown residents and organizations are doing their part to help. Rey Sol Coffee Roasters, a Colombian-owned coffee spot on Morris Street, and the Potter's House Church are organizing donations to send to Colombian victims.
The groups are focusing on assisting rural areas in Colombia, specifically the Risaralda, an area known for its production of coffee beans. Representatives say less aid is reaching these areas compared to Colombia's cities, but the situation is just as dire there.
"I would like to thank everybody that has been donating. We are here to ask for help," said Rey Sol owner Johanna Porras. "We appreciate any financial donation that you may be able to make to help us."
For the last few days, the organizations have been collecting essentials like diapers, baby formula, toiletries, first aid kits, and more donated by generous Morristown residents.
Now, the groups are in need of financial donations to pay for the shipping costs to get the items to Colombia.
"This is a serious ask. There are so many things they need… I can give you 10,000 things they need," Mayor Tim Dougherty said. "The monetary thing is just as important as the material things; it costs a lot of money to send this stuff… Step up."
Both financial and physical donations can be made to the following locations:
"We are asking our community to help sponsor the shipping cost of a box to Colombia. No contribution is too small—every dollar helps us get these donations one step closer to their destination," a Rey Sol statement read. "We also want you to feel completely comfortable and confident when supporting this effort. For every contribution made toward shipping, we will send you a photo of the shipping receipt so you can see exactly where your support went. Transparency and trust are very important to us."
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