Reporting by Hope Karnopp, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Milwaukee-area residents showed up big time to support the “United for Venezuela” emergency relief effort launched in partnership with Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras and outfielder Jackson Chourio.
Now, 27 tons of donations have reached Miami, where Forward Latino’s humanitarian partner, Global Empowerment Mission, will ship them to communities devastated by the late June earthquakes that hit Venezuela.
It’s only the first semi-trailer full of donations from Wisconsin, containing non-perishable food, bottled water, sleeping bags, blankets and other emergency supplies.
The response was so overwhelming, Forward Latino president Darryl Morin said, that the organization is now seeking monetary donations to cover transportation costs.
“This shipment represents the extraordinary compassion of people who refused to stand by while families in Venezuela faced unimaginable tragedy,” Morin said in a news release. “We are deeply grateful to every volunteer, donor, partner, and supporter who made this possible.”
The donation drive launched June 29. Forward Latino partnered with the Brewers’ Contreras, Chourio and coach Nestor Corredor, all of whom are Venezuelan, plus Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish to launch the fundraiser.
More than two tons of those donations were collected in just the first three hours of the drive, Morin said previously.
“It hasn’t been easy for us, the Venezuelans. Thank you for the support,” Contreras said in Spanish at the kickoff event. “It’s difficult to play this way, knowing that we care for and wish we were in Venezuela in this moment to help those that need it. But in this other way, we have to help Venezuela.”
Forward Latino is accepting monetary, tax-deductible donations on their website, forwardlatino.org.
“The generosity of our communities has exceeded every expectation,” Morin said. “Now we need help ensuring these life-saving supplies reach the families who need them most.”
Hope Karnopp can be reached at HKarnopp@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsinites donate 27 tons of supplies for Venezuela earthquake relief
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