Palm Beach County businesses collect supplies for earthquake victims in Colombia

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. —

Businesses across Palm Beach County are collecting supplies to aid victims of the devastating earthquake in western Colombia, where thousands have been injured or killed and hundreds remain missing.

Riconcito Colombiano, a restaurant group with five locations in the area, is part of an effort called “Let’s Help Colombia,” collecting supplies at all of its locations.

Nearly all of the restaurants’ employees are from Colombia, and they are committed to helping those affected.

“We are Colombian. We support each other. If someone is having a hard moment, I want to support him,” Alejandro Sanchez of Riconcito Colombiano said.

A few miles north, Ron Katz of Midas of West Palm Beach has also started collecting supplies, including toys and new clothing, for those impacted by the disaster.

“I didn’t realize how bad it was until I started seeing the pictures, and I was like, ‘Oh, my God.’ And that’s when I said we got to do something, and we started getting more and more involved,” Katz said.

For Katz, the relief effort is personal.

His wife’s family lives in Pereira, one of the areas hardest hit by Monday’s earthquake.

Having visited the region, Katz feels connected to the people and believes South Florida will step up to help.

“People are really generous. When it comes to something like this, people will forget about what’s going on in their world, and they want to help other people, which is when Floridians come together,” Katz said.

Some of the donations they are requesting are: water, hygiene products, baby products, first aid, cleaning products, clothing, blankets, pet food, and non-perishable food.

Donations can be dropped off at Midas of West Palm Beach at 2253 N MIlitary Trail or at multiple Riconcito Colombiano locations: 2650 S Military Trail and 3027 Forest Hill Blvd in West Palm Beach or 9900 Southern Blvd in Royal Palm Beach.

El Molino Restaurante is also collecting donations at 1989 S Military Trail in West Palm Beach.

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