Search-and-rescue efforts are underway in Colombia after a powerful earthquake rocked the country. Meanwhile, New Yorkers are stepping in to help those in need.<\/p>\n
Videos online of that powerful earthquake have filled Diana Guardino with fear as she thinks of her family who live in Colombia.<\/p>\n
“I’m waiting to speak to my father, which I heard through messages that he’s OK,” says Guardino, a community leader with the Colombian American Police Association (CAPA), “but I haven’t been able to speak to him.”<\/p>\n
The 7.4 magnitude earthquake that hit Monday left around 1,600 buildings reported damaged or collapsed. More than 170 people have been reported dead and at least 3,000 people missing.<\/p>\n
“Communication is tough. All I’m getting is messages, but I haven’t been able to hear his voice, which is what I’m hoping for,” Guardino said. <\/p>\n
While she waits to hear back from her father, she is finding ways here at home to help, organizing with CAPA to collect donations to send to the damaged country.<\/p>\n
Working alongside Guardino is Franklin Santana, owner of Praga Tapas Bar. His mom and family are also in Colombia.<\/p>\n
“As soon as I got a hold of her, I could breathe. Thank God everybody was fine,” Santana said, “but I started working on how to help everybody else.”<\/p>\n
Tapas is just one of more than a dozen locations across the city accepting donations, including new and unopened hygiene products, baby essentials and first aid supplies. They are asking for new and unopened items only.<\/p>\n
In the Bronx, donations are being collected at “Bronx Foot Specialist” in Pelham Gardens.<\/p>\n
In Brooklyn, there is an authorized drop-off at the medical center at 5 Debevoise Street in Williamsburg.<\/p>\n
The full list of drop-offs can be found HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n “The most beautiful thing out of this whole disaster is seeing how all the countries come across to help us,” Guardino said.<\/p>\n Donations are being accepted through Aug. 22.<\/p>\n