Orange County Begins Puerto Rico Relief Drive

From the Orange County Executive

Orange County is encouraging residents to donate supplies for victims of hurricane-torn Puerto Rico.

“Orange County has many families with direct connections to Puerto Rico,” Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus said. “We are concerned for their loved ones and stand in support of our community who have family and friends in Puerto Rico. Since the devastating storm, I have heard from elected officials, as well as leaders, the business community and residents, who have asked how they can help with the relief effort. The community has come together to help Puerto Rico and I encourage residents to make a donation to help this important cause.”

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office, located at 110 Wells Farm Road in Goshen, and Town of Deerpark Clerk’s Office, located at 420 Route 209 in Huguenot, are accepting donations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. In addition, supplies can be dropped off at the Orange County Chamber of Commerce, located at 30 Scott’s Corners Drive in Montgomery, and Town Clerk’s offices in Monroe, Chester, Cornwall, Tuxedo, Minisink, Wallkill, Warwick, Blooming Grove, Crawford, Highlands, Goshen, Montgomery and Newburgh. Donations will be accepted until October 13th.

Supplies needed include bottled water, flashlights, batteries (no lithium batteries), canned goods, old-style can opener, tarps, blankets, feminine hygiene products, personal first aid kits, candles and baby supplies. All items must be unopened and in their original packaging. Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico last Wednesday as a Category 4 storm, knocking out the island’s entire power grid. The storm, one of the strongest ever to hit the island, followed Hurricane Irma. It resulted in approximately $10 billion of damage.

For more information, contact Justin Rodriguez, Assistant to the County Executive for Communications and Media Relations at845.291.3255 or jrodriguez@orangecountygov.com.