Plane, Crew From Stewart Air Base Help Kick Off NY Relief Efforts For Puerto Rico

NEWBURGH, NY —As New York's relief efforts for Puerto Rico begin moving rapidly, the New York Air National Guards 105th Airlift Wing based at Stewart is deeply involved. And the cargo they loaded up Wednesday is an essential building block for the reconstruction of the American territory devastated by Hurricanes Maria and Irma.

They flew a C-17 to Islip. At MacArthur Airport, Army National Guard soldiers of the 3rd Battalion 142nd Aviation Regiment based in Ronkonkoma loaded two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters into it.

The New York National Guard is deploying four Blackhawks and 60 aircrews and ground support personnel to Puerto Rico in support of recovery operations for the Puerto Rico National Guard.

Visit ny.gov/PuertoRico to learn more and take action.

"There will be a list of items that the island needs, there's a difference between people want to contribute and what the island needs," said Gov. Andrew Cuomo. "Everybody wants to do something but we have to do what the island prioritizes as their list of needs so that will be on the website also."

The donation sites will be managed by the National Guard. The Javits Center will be the central point of collection.

Here are local activities:

• Rockland County is collecting specific donations as part of the state effort. Deadline: Sunday evening.
• Orange has a list and collection points too. Deadline: Oct. 13.
• Westchester Starts Puerto Rico Relief Effort
• In Dutchess, County Legislator Francena Amparo is sponsoring a donation drive Sunday, from 11 am to 3 pm Location: Starbucks, 11 Merrit Blvd. (Route 9) Fishkill, NY 12524 Items Needed: Water, Feminine Hygiene Products, Baby Food and Diapers, Non- perishable food, tarps, school supplies, towels, toiletries

The New York State Teachers Union is letting people know of other local efforts, including:

American Legion - Post 151
Location: 185 Wawayanda Ave, Middletown, NY 10940
Time: 10 am to 6 pm (afterwards leave the donations at the bar). Veterans are collecting relief supplies for Puerto Rico. Please drop off any of the following items:

• batteries, flashlights, portable lanterns, diapers, baby wipes, cases of water, non-perishable foods, women/children/men’s clothing in good condition and feminine hygiene products.

Photo by Col. Mark Slusar Joint Force Headquarters New York Army National Guard.