A Hartford community came together to collect more than 30 boxes of essential supplies for people affected by the earthquakes in Colombia.

Community Effort

Organizer Clarissa Heredia said she and her friends Maria and Alessandra planned the donation drive less than a week ago. The three-hour drive wrapped up at 11 a.m. after collecting canned and non-perishable food, baby formula, diapers and other baby supplies, personal care products, first-aid and emergency supplies, blankets, flashlights, pet food and other essential items.

Heredia said the Hartford Police Department, Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam and organizations in New York and Colombia are helping get the donated goods to Colombia. Once the supplies arrive, people already on the ground will help distribute them to some of the hardest-hit areas, including Cali.

For Heredia, who is Colombian, the effort is personal. She said people who were unable to attend Sunday’s drive can still help by donating money or other necessary goods to support people in Colombia.

Original reporting: NBC Connecticut — read the source article.