Hurricane Maria: How New Yorkers Can Help Puerto Rico

NEW YORK, NY - Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, roaring across the island as a Category 5 storm, ripping roofs off buildings, killing at least six people and leaving the entire population without power. Now New Yorkers are being urged to help it recover.

"My message to all Puerto Ricans is New York City stands with you, and we will be there to help," Mayor Bill de Blasio promised Friday.

De Blasio said nine NYPD and FDNY personnel were already on the island to help, with another 20 first responders on their way and a crew from the city's Office of Emergency Management preparing to go.

And the city's residents are being asked to help too. (For more on the storm and other local stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

Firehouses and EMS stations across the five boroughs were being opened up to collect critically-needed items for Hurricane Maria relief - things like first aid supplies and baby food.

“New York City stands in solidarity with those affected by Hurricane Maria and many of us are looking for ways to help. We’re encouraging New Yorkers to donate these critically-needed items at a local drop-off site,” said de Blasio.

Items needed are:

· Diapers

· Baby food

· Batteries

· First Aid Supplies

· Feminine Hygiene Products

There are 18 drop off locations open from 7 a.m. unti 9 p.m. Only items on the list can be accepted.

The locations are:

Manhattan

· Engine 28/ Ladder 11: 242 E. 111th Street, New York, NY 11220 (East Harlem)

· Engine 95/ Ladder 36: 29 Vermilyea Avenue, New York, NY 10033 (Inwood)

· Engine 28/ Ladder 11: 222 E. 2nd Street, New York, NY 10009 (Lower East Side)

Bronx

· EMS Station 26: 1264 Boston Road, Bronx NY 10456 (Morrisania)

· EMS Station 55: 3134 Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10451 (Melrose)

· Engine 64/ Ladder 47: 1214 Castle Hill Avenue, Bronx, NY 10462 (Castle Hill)

· Engine 83/ Ladder 29: 618 E. 138th Street, Bronx, NY 10454 (Mott Haven/South Bronx)

Queens

· Engine 316: 27-12 Kearney Street, Queens, NY 11369 (East Elmhurst)

· Engine 289/ Ladder 138: 97-28 43rd Avenue, Queens, NY 11368 (Corona)

· Engine 307/ Ladder 154: 81-17 Northern Boulevard, Queens, NY 11372 (Jackson Heights)

Brooklyn

· Engine 271/ Ladder 124: 392 Himrod Street, Brooklyn, NY 11237 (Bushwick)

· Engine 277/ Ladder 112: 582 Knickerbocker Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11221 (Bushwick)

· Engine 201/ Ladder 114: 5113 4th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11220 ( Sunset Park)

· Engine 228: 436 39th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11232 (Sunset Park)

· Engine 218: 650 Hart Street, Brooklyn, NY 11221 (Bushwick)

Staten Island

· Engine 153/ Ladder 77: 74 Broad Street, Staten Island, NY 10304 (Stapleton)

· Engine 157/ Ladder 80: 1573 Castleton Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10302 (Port Richmond)

· Ladder 79: 1189 Castleton Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10310 (Port Richmond)

“New Yorkers have deep personal ties to Puerto Rico. For many of us, Puerto Ricans are family, both literally and figuratively," said Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez, who represents much of Brooklyn.

New Yorkers take care of one another and that spirit extends to this current catastrophe in Puerto Rico and other Hurricane-impacted areas."

Photo credit: Carlos Giusti/Associated Press