Lehigh Valley relief efforts to help Puerto Rico

Hurricane Fiona killed at least five people when it struck Puerto Rico on Sunday and cut power and water for the majority of the island’s 3.1 million population.

As the area emerges from the disaster, relief efforts are gearing up throughout the United States including from some Lehigh Valley residents and organizations.

“We’re hoping the community will pull together to help, especially since a lot of us have family and friends from there,” said Jessica Lee Ortiz, CEO of Allentown nonprofit the Ortiz Ark Foundation.

Here are the local efforts to raise money and gather supplies for Puerto Rico.

Ortiz Ark

The Ortiz Ark Foundation is collecting supplies outside of its headquarters at 113 N. 9th Street in Allentown, including canned and dried foods such as boxed rice, beans and pastas, and emergency supplies including first-aid kits, batteries and solar supplies.

Supplies can be dropped off Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The organization also has an Amazon wish list of hurricane relief supplies.

The donations will be shipped to the Ortiz Ark Foundation’s location in Vega Braja, Puerto Rico.

ArtsQuest and La Mega

Bethlehem nonprofit ArtsQuest is partnering with La Mega radio station to collect donations for the American Red Cross at its Summer Concert Series this weekend.

Salsa artist Andy Montanez and opener Andy Joel will perform at the Levitt Pavillion SteelStacks outdoor amphitheater on Sunday, Sept. 25 at 6 p.m.

According to ArtsQuest’s website, attendees are encouraged to bring Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic flags during the show.