Help Puerto Rico and Mexico rebuild

To the Editor:
Watching tremendous devastation in other parts of the world on wide screen televisions, from the comfort of our homes, can leave one feeling helpless, empathizing with those who are suffering but not sure what to do to help except offer prayers and good wishes.
Yet if it was our immediate neighbor whose house was destroyed, or the next street over that was turned into a river by raging flood waters, destroying all in its wake, most of us would be right there, lending a hand, bringing tools and supplies, trying to pitch in as true neighbors do. That's what makes a community.
Hurricane damage in Puerto Rico has left the entire island without electricity (possibly for months), many without water and hundreds of building destroyed.
The hurricane in Puerto Rico, the worst in at least 80 years, has destroyed the island's power grid, at least 10 have died and the toll is rising. 95 percent of the cell coverage is lost, leaving friends and relatives frantic to make contact.
For some in our area, these natural disasters are not abstract, or far from affecting their daily lives, because their families and friends lived in the devastated areas. They are their neighbors, only at presence from a distance. This includes several members of our staff at the Hotel Fauchere. We want to pitch in to provide assistance as we can. 
The earthquake in Mexico was the strongest in over a century, toppling hundreds of buildings with a death toll so far around 300.
One person who works at the hotel is from Pueblo, in Mexico, right where the earthquake hit the hardest. 
A compilation of buildings falling, roads splitting and rescue efforts in Mexico. Painful to watch.
His parent's house and much of his home neighborhood was totally destroyed. Fortunately, they were not injured.
Another staff member is from Puerto Rico and is trying to get his elderly parents evacuated, to come live in Milford for a while until their home becomes habitable again and they have water and electricity.  
He still — as of this morning — has not heard from his sister and her family, who live in Humacao, near the hardest hit part of the island. The devastation on Puerto Rico and other islands in the Caribbean is so vast as to defy belief.
So beginning tonight, we will offer two Bar Louis specials to help raise funds: a Mexican-style Arroz con Pollo (Chicken and Rice) and a Puerto Rican-style Pollo con Arroz y Habihuelas (Chicken with Rice and Beans).
Each entree is $22 and every time it is ordered, we will donate the entire $22 to relief efforts suggested by our employees, guests and neighbors who have family in the affected areas of Mexico and Puerto Rico.
Or you are also welcome to donate directly to Greater Pike Community Foundation's Disaster Relief Fund by dropping off a tax-deductible check payable to "Greater Pike Community Foundation" with a note in the memo line: "PR and Mexico Relief" or send a check to: 
Greater Pike 
Att: Puerto Rico and Mexico Relief
P.O. Box 992, Milford, PA  18337
Thank you and let us all be grateful every day.
Sean Strub
Hotel Fauchere
Milford