Join the Relief Efforts for the Patients, Doctors, Nurses, and Staff of San Lucas Hospital and Ponce Health Sciences University in Puerto Rico
Sponsored by the Gold Humanism Honor Society
Dates Planned: (October 25th, 2017 - January 1st, 2018)
Eduardo Lopez, a medical student at Ponce Health Sciences University recently reached out to the national office of GHHS urgently requesting help. This medical school, hospital and community are located on the southern coast of Puerto Rico. They continue to experience catastrophic shortages of medical supplies, food, water, and other basics a full month after Hurricane Maria struck. We have reached out on their behalf to AmeriCares, which has agreed to provide them with antibiotics, epinephrine, intravenous fluids, insulin and other medical supplies.
The Program Committee of the GHHS Advisory Council encourages our stateside chapters to help the staff and patient community of Ponce. A list of much-needed supplies was compiled by the students and residents who meet at 6:30 every morning to plan their distribution to the patients and colleagues most in need.
The following are in very short supply:
- Canned food
- Bottled water
- Water filters
- Water purifying tablets
- Rice
- Gauze
- Skin tape
- Pads and diapers
- Antiseptic solution
- Pasta
- Snacks
- Plastic cups, plates, cutlery
- Toiletries
Supplies should be shipped to the address below:
Dr. Kenira Thompson- President Ponce Research Institute
c/o Eduardo Lopez, Gold Humanism Honor Society
388 Calle Dr Luis F Salas
Urb Ind Reparada 2
Ponce, PR 00716-2347
Please indicate on your packages that this delivery is coming from GHHS.
Please note Fed Ex, UPS & USPS are currently operating in Puerto Rico, however expect delayed service.
UPS offers special discounts rates from the U.S to Puerto Rico for select ground and deferred shipments, where available, through the UPS Store,
www.ups.com/ship and 1-800-PICK-UPS.
FedEx packages sent in the U.S will go through Memphis but fly direct to Ponce, PR.
We spoke to people at the Ponce Research Institute and they are able to receive direct donation relief packages.
Suggestions on where to purchase items and ship directly are as follows:
- www.smile.amazon.com/
- Amazon Prime members are offered Free Standard Shipping to addresses in Puerto Rico
- Not all items are available for Prime/Free Shipping
- While making your purchase please select The Arnold P. Gold Foundation as the charitable organization
- www.target.com
- Offers free shipping on orders over $35
- Not all products can be shipped due to shipping restrictions
- www.costco.com
- Not all products can be shipped due to shipping restrictions
- Will need a Costco Membership
- www.kmart.com
- Not all products can be shipped due to shipping restrictions
- www.officedepot.com
- Not all products can be shipped due to shipping restrictions
If you prefer to make a monetary donation, visit
HERE. All money will be used to provide much-needed supplies for this community.
Here are some fundraising ideas you could try!
- Product Drive
- If you prefer to collect products directly instead of purchasing them you can host a drive asking for any products your supporters could spare or focus on specific items.
- Quiz Night
- Host a quiz night! You will need a few teams to sign up, a quiz master and some questions!
- Bonus tip: Try to organize a students vs. academics competition, because that will attract much more interest. You can even charge a small entry fee!
- Host a Spaghetti Dinner
- Members can serve as waiters and staff and you can charge a small fee. If possible you can combine with a raffle or auction
- Used Book Sale
- Ask for book donations from friends and family, and then have a book sale on campus. Academic texts from ex-students will sell really well.
- Chipotle Fundraiser
- Many Chipotle locations are open to partnering with local organizations on their fundraising efforts. Visit here to submit your application. If approved, Chipotle will provide you with digital flyers to spread the word about when and where your fundraiser is taking place. Your supporters can then show the flyers in print, on their phones or simply mention it at checkout so the sale goes toward the fundraiser. At the conclusion, 50% of each Chipotle order your supporters place will go toward your fundraising efforts!
- Your local Chipotle will even donate products for an on-site fundraiser!
We appreciate any and all assistance you can supply, and would like to be kept apprised of your efforts. Please send updates and questions to
Jessica.
Thank you for caring,
Dorothy Levine, MD
Director, Gold Humanism Honor Society
