Marcy Sansolo organized 2 previous relief efforts via her What Up Westport Facebook page. Both were very successful.
But Sunday’s outpouring of love and care — for Puerto Rico’s victims of Hurricane Maria — was, she says, “nothing short of breathtaking.”
The drive at the Westport Library parking lot was arranged in just 3 days. Drop-off times for goods and supplies lasted only 2 hours. But the response of Westporters was heartwarming.
A woman who works at Pottery Barn dropped off items she had purchased. An hour later she returned, with a large box of donations from the store.
Two young children made cards. Older kids helped parents empty their cars.
A note to the children of Puerto Rico.
“I don’t think there’s any bug spray or diapers left at CVS,” Sansolo says. “I’m sure we cleaned them out.”
“The sense of community was inspiring,” Sansolo says. “Members of What Up Westport came from as far as New York. Everyone asked, ‘How can I help?'”
When it was clear that more drivers would be needed to deliver donations to shipping centers, Sansolo ordered a U-Haul. Many people offered to split the cost. That’s in addition to 6 SUVs and minivans, all filled to the brim.
A small portion of the many donations.
The news from Las Vegas yesterday stunned Sansolo. She loves live music, and cannot conceive of what happened at that concert.
But, she says, “then I think about all of the beauty and love I saw on Sunday. My hope in mankind is renewed.”
Sansolo plans more community events on What Up Westport. She welcomes everyone who wants to join.