Hartford

Latino Community Comes Together for Hurricane Relief

“I've been trying to get in touch with my family for days and days,” State Representative Minnie Gonzales said.

An emotional Gonzales and other Latino elected officials described the deafening silence as they continue to wait to hear from their loved ones in Puerto Rico and other Caribbean Islands.

“The worst part is not knowing on what's going on what's happening with your families and friends in the island,” Gonzales said.

“It's frustrating waking up at 12 in the morning and wondering trying call,” Hartford city councilman James Sanchez said.

Sanchez also has yet to hear from his family and is now planning to head the hurricane-ravaged area next week. He’s hoping government and military aid will come in full force.

“I just hope that the governor can reach out to all these airlines that leave out of Bradley to San Juan and try to negotiate some kind of waiver with the fees for those of us who are trying to go over to the island and help our families and friends,” Sanchez said.

Members of the Latino community also sharing ways to donate to relief efforts locally, organizing fundraisers throughout the state through the end of the month.

We need the money we need the cash,” Gonzales said.

“Nearly 40 percent of our city is Puerto Rican, a very large percentage of our city is West Indian, Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin said.

While more than 1,600 miles away, Bronin counted thousands of Hartford families like Sanchez’s affected by the fury of Hurricane Maria, other recent natural disasters and the uncertain silence they leave behind.

“We’re here in the mainland praying for you, we're hoping for you and we're looking for you,” Sanchez said.

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