AID FOR PUERTO RICO: NEW BRITAIN COMMUNITY LEADERS RALLY TO SUPPORT THOSE DEVASTATED BY HURRICANE MARIA

LOCAL HURRICANE MARIA PUERTO RICO RELIEF FUND ESTABLISHED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IN WAKE OF TRAGEDY

New Britain, Conn., September 22, 2017 – While millions on the island of Puerto Rico are still reeling and trying to make sense of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Maria, family and friends here in New Britain and the state of Connecticut are suffering along with them. To provide assistance, a coalition of city leaders and organizations have come together to help those in need through what will be a long period of recovery.

The Community Foundation of Greater New Britain and the American Savings Foundation, with leadership by State Representative Bobby Sanchez of New Britain, New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart and Marlo Greponne of HRA of New Britain, have together established the Hurricane Maria Puerto Rico Relief Fund at the Community Foundation. The fund aims to serve as a central and local charitable hub for those in New Britain and surrounding communities who wish to support, through charitable donations, the more than 3.4 million Puerto Rican citizens ravaged this week by Hurricane Maria.

The American Savings Foundation and the Community Foundation have pledged to cover all administrative fees related to the fund to ensure that 100 percent of donations go to help hurricane victims and recovery efforts in Puerto Rico.

Grants will be made from this fund directly to several Community Action Agencies located in Puerto Rico who will be assisting victims of the Hurricane long after the emergency efforts end. A committee with representatives from HRA of New Britain, the

American Savings Foundation, Community Foundation of Greater New Britain and local government will participate in the granting process.

“Our hearts ache for those in Puerto Rico as well as their families and friends right here in and around New Britain,” said David Obedzinski, president of the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain. “One element of our mission is to partner with others, lead where we can and lift up our communities. This partnership is our opportunity to respond and help those in need as quickly as we can.”

To donate online, click here. To donate by mail, make a check payable to the Hurricane Maria Puerto Rico Relief Fund and mail to Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, 74A Vine Street, New Britain, CT 06052.