Help Our Band Friends in Guayanilla
Guayanilla has been Rocked by Earthquakes
Guayanilla, Puerto Rico, the home of our friends and partner band, Banda Escolar de Guayanilla, is reeling from the impact of multiple severe earthquakes. Guayanilla is at or near the epicenter of many of these major quakes.
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LA Times article quoting BEG Band Director, Maribela Garcia: LA Times 2020-01-10
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Why is Puerto Rico being struck by earthquakes? Note the red pin in the town of Guayanilla: Discover Magazine 2020-01-07
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Still being hit by earthquakes as recently as Jan 25th: NBC News 2020-01-25
They Need Our Help
The situation is dire. They need help. Their immediate survival needs are being met (so far) with tents as shelter, food, and water but their other needs, such as medication, first aid supplies, batteries, etc. are not being met. Sending supplies is problematic. Available agencies on the ground are not an option as yet because of the chaos surrounding these continued earthquakes and the devastation of so many buildings.
FAQs
How is this relief effort different from the MI-BEG Partnership fundraising we have done in the past?
This is a humanitarian disaster relief effort focused on the Banda Escolar de Guayanilla students and their families as they struggle to overcome the earthquake devastation. This effort is focused purely on the families, rather than the MIHS - BEG band relationship. Previous fundraising efforts have supported this partnership, focusing on musical, educational, and cultural growth between the two bands.
Why is this not a tax deductible 501c3 donation?
We need a quick answer to how to send money to BEG. The Band Boosters charter does not cover humanitarian aid and running the money through another organization that includes humanitarian aid in their charter will take time that we do not have.
Why are we using Venmo rather than PayPal or Square donation options?
Venmo is more practical for collecting wide spread donations from a variety of age groups. It is allows for easy, immediate transfer of funds to BEG families in Guayanilla.
Who can I talk to if I have more questions, ideas and/or suggestions?
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Email helpbegpr@gmail.com
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Call Betsy Robertson at 206-229-3502
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Talk with any of the Band Directors or Jen McLellan
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Contact anyone on the MIHS BEG team
How to Help
To help the families of Banda Escolar de Guayanilla (BEG) members:
Support via Venmo
@MIBEG-Earthquake
If you don't have Venmo, email helpbegpr@gmail.com or call Betsy Robertson at 206-229-3502 for other options.
These donations will directly and immediately help BEG students and their families during this crisis. This is NOT a tax deductible 501c3 donation and is not sponsored by MISBB, MISD, MIHS ASB, or any MI PTA.
Family to Family Aid
This is family to family aid to help our partner band families through this humanitarian crisis. Here is a list of immediate needs from our partner families, many whom can't return home because the earthquakes have devastated their buildings.