The Fundacion Lucero de America supplies drive Sunday in Patchogue for Ecuadorian earthquake victims was a huge success.
The organizers collected more than a tractor trailer’s worth of baby formula, bottled water, medical supplies and canned goods — all from a day’s work in the Village Hall parking lot.
But now money is needed to ship all those supplies to Ecuador.
more photos from Sunday’s relief efforts
To that end, a group called Patchogue for Ecuador has been formed, and a fundraiser is already planned for this Sunday, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $5 at the door.
“The short-term goal is fundraising and relief efforts with what happened in Ecuador,” said Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce executive director David Kennedy. “But we do see a longstanding organization that will form a partnership with Ecuador, given Patchogue has the second-largest Ecuadorian population in New York State, behind Corona, Queens.”
Ecuador was struck by 7.8-level earthquake on April 16 and hundreds of aftershocks that have left 655 people dead, 4,600 injured and 48 people still missing, according to news reports.
The new local group, Patchogue for Ecuador, comprises members of the chamber’s Hispanic business leaders, the Greater Patchogue Foundation’s cultural heritage committee, as well as Patchogue Village employees and the Fundacion Lucero de America, founded in the memory of slain Ecuadorian immigrant Marcelo Lucero.
“With the earthquakes in Ecuador, there’s going to be a lot of long-term work and repairs that are going to be needed, and we want to follow through with that as well,’ Kennedy said.
Sunday’s event will feature live music, free food and donated beer and wine that will be offered up for a donation, as well as 50/50 raffles and other fundraisers. People are being encouraged to bring their checkbooks, with checks payable to the Greater Patchogue Foundation, the chamber’s nonprofit arm.
As for the longer-term efforts, Kennedy said people should look for collection jars in Patchogue area businesses.
There will also be future fundraising events as Ecuador works to recover.
Photo: Sunday’s Ecuador relief supplies drive outside Village Hall. (Jorge Guaraca/Facebook)
