ROCHESTER — A telethon organized by Ibero-American Action League and the American Red Cross raised more than $100,000 to assist victims of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and the massive Sept. 19 earthquake in Mexico.
The Sept. 25 event was held at the Prince Street offices of the American Red Cross’ Greater Rochester chapter, according to Ibero officials. SoyBoy of Rochester donated $10,000, and Paychex donated $5,000, noted Patricia Cruz-Irving, Ibero’s director of development and communications. Other companies and organizations also donated $1,000 each, including Vision Auto, the Puerto Rican Festival board and the Puerto Rican Parade of Rochester committee, Cruz-Irving said.
Several other fundraisers also are planned to aid those affected by the natural disasters in Puerto Rico and Mexico.
A local group will host a zumbathon from 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 1 at the Thomas P. Ryan Community Center at 530 Webster Ave. in Rochester, according to information at http://bit.ly/2yHyGxa. Each participants is asked to bring a bag of nonperishable foods or donate $15 to benefit the “United for Puerto Rico” fund created by the island’s first lady Beatriz Rosselló (http://unidosporpuertorico.com).
The Hispanic Heritage Committee of Rochester will host a ROC Relief benefit concert Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Parcel 5 in Rochester, said organizer Ray Mayoliz. Financial donations, water, nonperishable foods and medical supplies will be accepted, according to http://bit.ly/2hxE6qk. Another benefit “Unidos por Puerto Rico” concert will be held Oct. 15 at the Diplomat Party House in Gates from 2 to 7 p.m., according to http://bit.ly/2xKNJYL.
In addition to the fundraisers, financial donations are still being accepted by the Red Cross and Ibero, which also is collecting such items as toiletries, canned goods and water at all of its locations. For more information, call Ibero at 585-256-8900 or e-mail information@iaal.org.
