Central Florida community collects donations for Colombia
Central Florida community collects donations for Colombia earthquake victims
KISSIMMEE, Fla. —
Volunteers packed dozens of boxes Sunday, filled with supplies to help people affected by the earthquake in Colombia.
As of Sunday, nearly 300 people have died in the 7.4-magnitude quake. Officials report that thousands of buildings have been damaged. The donation drive in Kissimmee ran from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Organizers are also collecting money online to help pay for needed medical supplies in the area.
“I saw how affected we are and I saw the help that we need,” Ingrid Vergara, the drive organizer, said.
Vergara owns El Tropico Restaurant in Kissimmee. She’s from Colombia. Her own loved ones were affected in the earthquake. While she said they’re alive and healthy, they need help.
“There’s no homes, there’s no hospitals,” Vergara said.
Vergara worked with Jilian Jaramillo and Abdiel Machado to plan the supply drive. People donated items like bars of soap, bed sheets and towels. Volunteers packed an entire truckload full of supplies to take to Miami.
“From Miami, it’s going to be transported to Colombia in a jet, and then when, once it arrives to Colombia, it’s going to a fundraiser that we are working with,” Vergara said.