Puerto Rico, you lovely island . . .
Island of tropical breezes.
Always the pineapples growing,
Always the coffee blossoms blowing...
 - West Side Story (Stephen Sondheim, lyrics)

The lyrics come from the song "America" in West Side Story where the "Sharks" (the Puerto Rican gang in this re-imagining of Romeo and Juliet) debate the relative merits of Puerto Rico and America. Both locations are seen with fondness, as well as a sharp-eyed reality about their challenges.

Today, Puerto Rico faces perhaps its greatest challenge.  The island is facing a humanitarian disaster of unprecedented scale, and one local official has said the island's development has been set back "20 or 30 years."

We must not forget these American citizens. 

What can you do to help?

• First and foremost - contact your members of Congress and tell them to send aid.  There is a great script and link to find your delegation here.  I would recommend that you amend the script that they give here to add in that Congress should not only put pressure on for more aid now (and authorize the expenditures), but also begin planning and allocating funds NOW for the long-term recovery.*

• Consider donations - although here more than ever, I would look for options that will e there for the long-term. This is going to be a marathon on the rebuild front.
• Save the Children is responding
• The Center for Disaster Philanthropy's 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Fund will take the long-term view
• The Hispanic Federation's Unidos fund is focused on immediate needs.  In addition, the Federation is supporting Mexican earthquake efforts.
• United for Puerto Rico is the fund started by the First Lady of Puerto Rico, and the fund backed by the fund-raising efforts of the former US Presidents
• Keep your eye on the Heart of Florida United Way based in Orlando.  Orlando is home to the largest concentration of Puerto Ricans in Florida, and I was speaking to a key nonprofit leader there today about the expected influx of Puerto Ricans to that area. Services will be needed both on the island of PR and for those who will relocate after this disaster.  HFUW will be providing many of those services.

But, please start by calling your members of Congress.

*Good explanation of the Jones Act that is referenced in the script here