In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Maria last month, Bettina Carey felt helpless.
Puerto Rican herself, with a majority of her family living in the U.S. territory, she said it took a few weeks to figure out just how she may be able to lend a hand.
With the help of B&E Meats and Seafood (2401 Queen Anne Ave. N.) and McCarthy and Schiering, an event next month will aim to do just that.
On Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., B&E will serve up sample bites, and the adjacent wine shop will have a tasting from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., while collecting donations to help residents of the remote town of Guayama.
“It’s remote enough that they have gotten very, very little support from the United States, and it’s just trickling in, and it’s not enough,” said Carey, who organized the effort, with the help of B&E co-owner Jeff Green and Steve Dunyachuk, along with Queen Anne store manager Gordy Maggs.
The event will serve as a de-facto kick-off for the donation drive, with bins at all four B&E locations — Des Moines (22501 Marine View Dr. S.), Burien (15003 Ambaum Blvd. S.W.), and Newcastle (13024 Newcastle Way), in addition to Queen Anne.
Carey said solar lanterns, large-scale batteries and flashlights, small portable radios, and cellphone chargers are among the biggest needs, in addition to basics like canned goods, hygienic supplies, and water.
“They’re drinking contaminated water,” she said. “They’re under marital law, food restrictions when they go to buy anything, they can only get about $100 out at a time at the bank, which is only open a couple hours a day. Eight and nine hour lines for fuel, so it’s definitely going to be months ahead of recovery for them.”
Carey has also set up a GoFundMe page with all proceeds benefitting the people of Guayama. That page has thus far raised more than $500, with a goal of $3,500.
For more information, contact Carey at askbettina@gmail.com or at 206-349-4297. To comment on this story, write to QAMagNews@nwlink.com.