By Nicholas Gallo, Staff Writer
The Latin American Student Organization (LASO) on St. Bonaventure’s campus has started raising money for relief efforts in Puerto Rico and Mexico. The president of LASO, Jeancarlos Aponte, and members of the organization quickly reacted.
Aponte, a sophomore theater major, from the Dominican Republic, wanted to find a way to raise money for both countries. He heard from his friends, who have family in the two countries, how their houses were destroyed.
“Hearing what happened in Puerto Rico was devastating,” said Aponte. “I have friends from Puerto Rico, and right now, there is no power, not a lot of food and students are not able to go to school.”
Aponte said he also has friends from Mexico. He said that he saw one video of a woman’s house that was destroyed, and it devastated him because Aponte wondered where she would live and what resources he had to help her.
Aponte said that was the reason he wanted to fundraise for both countries. He believed that both countries needed the money because they are in states of emergency.
Even his adviser, Mary Rose Kubal, Ph.D, wanted to help. They found the Ricky Martin Foundation which is a public charity that is supporting relief efforts in Puerto Rico. They are currently investigating a way to send money to Mexico.
Last week, LASO was selling ribbons the colors of the Mexican and Puerto Rican flags in the Reilly Center. It extended the fundraiser because it was looking for donations from faculty. The money they earned at the Reilly Center added their previous sales to students in the Hickey Dinning Hall.
“We have sold a total of $87.50 worth of the Puerto Rico ribbons and $50.25 of the Mexico ribbons,” said Aponte. “Even though that is a good amount of money, I still want to do more to give back to those countries. Since Mexico has a different currency than us, I feel that since Puerto Rico’s currency is dollars, that there should be more fundraising.”
Lily Trinidad, a sophomore psychology major and a member of LASO, agreed with Aponte. Trinidad, who was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to Brooklyn at 11 years old, has been a member of LASO since her freshman year in 2016.
“I liked how we as a group reacted so quickly to the situation,” said Trinidad. “One of my residents had her own house in Puerto Rico and now it is all gone, and I feel for all those people who were affected by this, and it’s unbelievably sad how real it is and how people who you are close to are affected by this.”
Trinidad said that it’s hard and frustrating when you want to do more, but the school can only do so much. Trinidad said one idea that the group had was to cook and sell Latin American food. She believes that it can be an effective way to generate donations.
Having a dance is also an option for LASO, according to Trinidad. At a different venue, LASO would host a dance with Latin American music, food and karaoke.
Aponte is planning a tour of the fifth floor of Devereux Hall on Halloween night as a fundraising opportunity. Aponte said he would also consider doing a cultural show next semester.
“When I was in high school, we had these cultural shows that would express all different types of cultures through dance, clothing and music,” said Aponte.
He said it would be another good way to fundraise money and to show awareness of different backgrounds and cultures.
According to St. Bonaventure’s website, LASO offers social and educational programs and activities. The club serves the unifying Latino Organization on campus and promotes activism, mentorship, race relations, inclusiveness, community service, leadership and history. Trinidad feels that LASO is like her other family.
“I feel more people should continue to help fundraise,” Trinidad said. “Being part of this group is like being home.”
