BROKEN ARROW, Okla. - Sitting down in his upstairs room surrounded by musical instruments, Edwin Canito Garcia explains why he started to raise money for those affected by Hurricane Maria.
"I felt that it was a necessity to try and do something for the community of Puerto Rico coming from our community," says Garcia, who has Puerto Rican roots.
He has family members living in Yacuboa, which is considered ground zero of the hurricane where 155mph winds hit, knocking out electricity for months.
Garcia says his cousins are still trying to get their lives back to normal, but as the new hurricane season begins, they're preparing for anything.
That is why Garcia wanted to step in and help raise money for families affected.
"We're just trying to bless these families with the opportunity to get some of the necessities," says Garcia.
He and other local musicians got together and hosted a Latin concert and dance last Wednesday at the Shrine in downtown Tulsa.
They collected $1,100 and about $400 more from private donations.
"We're in association with a nonprofit organization in Yabucoa who's going to help us find some families who are in dire need of financial assistance," says Garcia.
His flight to Yabucoa is this Sunday, and he plans to stay for two weeks.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
Download our free app for Apple and Android and Kindle devices.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.
