WESTFIELD – On Sept. 29, the state of Massachusetts announced that state and city officials in Boston have created the Massachusetts United for Puerto Rico Fund.
In the hopes of helping the Hurricane Maria relief efforts in Puerto Rico, the fund is partnered with the Latino Legacy Fund and with the assistance of the Alliance for Puerto Rico.
The fund will be consulted by an advisory committee of 10 to 12 experts from the Massachusetts Puerto Rican diaspora community with Vanessa Calderon-Rosado servong as the Chairwoman and Rep. Jeffrey Sanchez as honorary vice chairman. Gov. Charlie Baker and Mayor Marty Walsh will also serve as honorary co-chairs.
With a state-wide movement officially created to help Puerto Rico, the local Puerto Rican organization in Westfield, WSAA (Westfield Spanish American Association) is pleased to hear that the state is heavily involved with the relief efforts.
“I think that is some fantastic news to hear, people are really taking this very serious,” said WSAA member Eddie Diaz. “Taking notice of it is up lifting, it’s showing the unity of the Latino community in Massachusetts.”
According to Diaz, a lot of needed items have been collected and prepared to be sent to Puerto Rico. Despite that, since several airlines in Puerto Rico had been shut down, all of the items had been stuck at Bradley International Airport.
Rep. Carlos Gonzalez (Springfield) is a part of the Western Mass United for Puerto Rico Fund, who is progressing their relief efforts for Puerto Rico. (WNG File Photo)
But, just recently, progress was made when Rep. Carlos Gonzalez (Springfield) heard about a flight from Spirit Airlines that was going down to Puerto Rico. The airline agreed to let a certain number of boxes with items onto the plane to get delivered to Puerto Rico.
“That was huge,” said Diaz. “Everybody really motored together.”
The effort isn’t stopping there as WSAA and their partner, Western Mass United for Puerto Rico are trying to get additional boxes onto a more flights.
In Westfield exclusively, Diaz also noted that he will be soon meeting with Mayor Brian Sullivan, Mike Knapik, the Director of Gov. Baker’s Western Mass office, and Stefan Czaporowski, the Superintendent of Schools. The discussion will be centered on what kind of guidance and resources the city can provide if any for families from Puerto Rico to relocate to Westfield.
For more updates on what is happening locally with the Hurricane Maria relief effort, follow both WSAA and Western Mass United for Puerto Rico on Facebook.
