Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano and the City of Yonkers are partnering with the AFYA Foundation to help provide critical drinking water to families in Puerto Rico as the U.S. territory faces a severe water crisis caused by drought and declining reservoir levels.
“When our neighbors in Puerto Rico need help, Yonkers will always answer the call,” said Mayor Spano. “Puerto Rico is home to family, friends and a community that is deeply connected to our City. We are proud to partner with the AFYA Foundation and do our part to provide this basic necessity to families facing water shortages.”
The AFYA Foundation, located on 140 Saw Mill River Road is accepting donations at their warehouse loading dock Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Water donations will be collected through August 28.
The City’s Office of Emergency Management has donated nearly 100 cases of bottled water to AFYA for shipment to Puerto Rico.
“Yonkers has been with us every step of the way, not just helping us coordinate this response, but rolling up their sleeve to collect water alongside us,” said Danielle Butin, CEO of AFYA Foundation. “When we needed our community to show up for Puerto Rico, Yonkers didn’t hesitate.”
Puerto Rico Gov. Jenniffer González-Colón declared a state of emergency on July 31 as the island faces serious drought conditions and declining water reservoir levels. More than 180,000 households have been impacted by rotating 48-hour water shut-offs and rationing in parts of the San Juan metropolitan area and surrounding municipalities.
Yonkers has a long history of supporting Puerto Rico during times of crisis, including providing supplies and organizing donation drives following Hurricanes Maria and Fiona, as well as assisting during the COVID-19 pandemic.
AFYA Foundation has delivered humanitarian aid in response to crises both nationally and globally since 2008.