HOUSTON \u2013 When powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on June 24, killing hundreds and leaving thousands missing, Houston Astros bench coach Omar L\u00f3pez felt the devastation personally. L\u00f3pez, who guided Venezuela to a World Baseball Classic championship in March, is now helping coordinate a massive relief mission alongside Astros owner Jim Crane.<\/p>\n
Crane announced Tuesday that he plans to fly 80,000 pounds of relief supplies to Venezuela aboard a 757 freighter cargo plane \u2014 a natural fit for a man whose company, Crane Worldwide, is in the business of freight and shipping.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe try to help out when we can and this is in my strike zone,\u201d Crane said.<\/p>\n
The effort begins Thursday, when the Astros Foundation hosts a supply drive at Union Station from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Donated items will be loaded onto two trucks headed to Miami, where Crane will then fly them directly to Venezuela.<\/p>\n
Astros executives, players, coaches, family members, mascot Orbit and the Shooting Stars dancers will be on hand Thursday to support volunteers receiving donations. Fans who can\u2019t make it to Union Station still have a chance to help \u2014 those attending Friday\u2019s game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Daikin Park can bring supplies to be collected at all gates.<\/p>\n
Friday\u2019s Share2Care 50\/50 Raffle proceeds will also go toward Venezuela relief efforts.<\/p>\n
Accepted donations include non-perishable food items, new temporary household goods, baby diapers, wipes, bottles and hygiene products. <\/p>\n
The Astros aren\u2019t alone in the effort. Major League Baseball and the MLB Players\u2019 Association announced Tuesday a joint donation of $1 million to the Red Cross to support those affected by the earthquakes.<\/p>\n
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