Bronx, NY – As the dire situation in Puerto Rico continues to deteriorate, New York has stepped up in the absence of effective measures from the Federal government. After details of the urgency and seriousness of the situation facing many of our fellow American citizens, Assemblyman Dinowitz, and Congressman Engel, decided to use their respective offices as collection centers for supplies to be donated down to Puerto Rico. The idea was to allow local Bronxites to drop off supplies at more conveniently locations closer to people’s home and thus increase the amount of supplies ultimately donated

The response was overwhelming.

Donations poured in from across the West Bronx as supplies ranging from generators, to diapers and feminine hygiene products as well as canned food products packed both Congressman Engel’s office and Assemblyman Dinowitz’s office to the absolute brim. Two separate truck loads were required to deliver all of the supplies to the state collection site at Roberto Clemente. Regular pickups are made to deliver these supplies to Camp Smith for transportation to Puerto Rico.

“We were thrilled with the response we got from our constituents. We thought we could simply collect a few modest boxes of supplies and store them in our office conference room until we could donate them,” said Dinowitz. “Instead, we were flooded with donations every day, and most of the calls we received during the week were about when people could drop off supplies, so we ended up opening the office to take them over the weekend. My office was absolutely filled to the brim, with boxes piled around desks so high that no one could see each other! I am so thankful and proud of the generosity demonstrated not just by my own constituents but by all of New York.”

“The response from the community to our supply drive was just overwhelming,” said Congressman Eliot Engel. “From the union workers who dropped off an entire busload of goods, to the students from Mount Saint Vincent who donated food and water, to all of the citizens who walked in off the street offering what they could, my office was absolutely over-flowing with supplies. I know the situation was the same at Assemblyman Dinowitz’s office, further proving we represent some of the most generous constituents around. The community really pulled through for our fellow citizens and friends in the Caribbean and I want to thank everyone who participated.”

Many buildings and local groups also were vital in making donations and getting the word out including, but not limited to:

The Whitehall (3333 HHP)

The Fairfield (640 West 231st)

The 50th Precinct

The Riverdale Soccer League

Goodman Management Realty

Riverdale Presbyterian Church Nursery School

The Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy

Residents of Kingsbridge & Riverdale

The Oberman Company

The Laca Jara Family

Mount Saint Vincent Volleyball team

Riverdale Senior Services

Roberto Clemente State Park and its Park Director, Frances Rodriguez

A special thank you to all who spent time and effort donating to their fellow citizens and we look forward to receiving a similar show of support for the Assemblyman’s Thanksgiving Food Drive, for which the office is currently accepting donations.