ViequesLove formed to provide aide to Vieques after Hurricane Maria struck the island on September 20th, 2017 and the first to land a plane full of satellite phones and supplies five days after the storm. Our volunteers worked around the clock to secure lives, provide necessities, and provide support where it was most needed. Since then, we have focused on preparing the island for another event and collaborating with all organizations working toward a sustainable resilient future.
ViequesLove
ViequesLove is a 501c3 nonprofit organization on the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico. Our team of local residents on and off island jumped into action to provide life-saving supplies, communication tools, evacuate critically ill, and give hope to an entire island.
Focused on Preparedness
ViequesLove is taking lessons learned from past hardship and forging valuable community solutions to prepare the island for future storms and events. Putting tools and resources in the hands of others will strengthen the island and accelerate response.
Sustainability and Resilience
ViequesLove works for a more resilient, sustainable future through community empowerment and collaboration. Stronger together,r our goal is to increase capacity and effectiveness of initiatives that will make profound positive change.
Support Our Work
ViequesLove needs your support now more than ever to safeguard future generations and create a more sustainable, resilient future.
PREPAREDNESS
SUSTAINABILITY
PLANNING/CAPACITY BUILDING
EDUCATION/YOUTH
Please consider a monthly donation to make these and other initiatives possible:
ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTED
SUPPLY PLANES
IN-KIND DONATIONS
SITES REVITALIZED
GENERATORS DISTRIBUTED
COMMUNICATION PROGRAMS ESTABLISHED
Vieques, is an island 7 miles off the coast of Puerto Rico a commonwealth of the United States. An island off an island, it is logistically challenging to get supplies or building materials here. Much of the help coming to Puerto Rico never makes it to Vieques. These challenges make not only recovery, preparation and mitigation difficult, but day-to-day living as well.
ViequesLove has the advantage of local knowledge, true love for the island, and the commitment of our team working for a better tomorrow and a more resilient island. Our families live here, our children go to school here, this is our home. We will make sure that your donation will not only make a difference, but we will strive for profound and lasting change for the future.
< HOW DONATIONS WERE USED
Sept. 20, 2017 – Dec. 15, 2018
VIEQUESLOVE INITIATIVES
What love can do.
ViequesLove is proud to provide $25,000 to repair the Esperanza Malecon (esplanade) that was badly damaged by Hurricane Maria. The repair effort is a collaboration with the Municipality, Claritza Navarro of M&M Construction, island businesses and, of course, you our donors. The community is rallying to make this an island wide effort to support fundraising efforts for this and other needs on the island, proving once again, that there is nothing more powerful than neighbors helping neighbors. [The repair to the Malecón is considered a temporary patch needed immediately to ensure the safety of residents and visitors. Our community efforts to ensure safety and beautify the Malecón should in no way affect the permanent reconstruction funded by FEMA.] We need your help to continue to fund projects like this. Please continue your support.
Water for Schools
ViequesLove THEN During the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, ViequesLove provided essential support to keep the water flowing to households and schools with the purchase of…
Support to HopeBuilders
The mission of HopeBuilders, a nonprofit organization founded by Vickie Machaud, is to rebuild and repair homes that have been damaged by Hurricane Maria. ViequesLove…
VOAD (Volunteer Organization Active in Disaster)
ViequesLove collaborated with the Puerto Rico and National VOAD during the aftermath of Hurricane Maria and during the 2018 Hurricane season. In April 2019 ViequesLove…
Water for Schools – orig
Cisterns will be installed at schools so there will be an alternate source of water in case of interruption of services. This will also provide…
Emergency Management Antenna
Thanks to a collaborative effort with ViequesLove the Office of Emergency Management, Sail Relief, Mountain Communications, and the Municipal government, a solar powered antenna now…
VHF Radio Communication Web
ViequesLove purchased 28 VHF short wave radios for a communications program initiated by Que Fe Transforma. The radios were distributed to agencies and Vieques fishermen who…
HAM Radio Communication Web
ViequesLove has initiated and supported a HAM Radio Program in collaboration with Radio Vieques, William Patterson University and Alberic Medina. 25 Radios, 2 base stations,…
Naming Unnamed Streets
There are many streets and entire barrios without street names making assessment, search and rescue difficult in an emergency situation. ViequesLove led by board member…
Model Non-Profit in High School
ViequesLove created positions on the advisory board for members of the junior and senior class to present ideas and issues important to them. Engaging students…
Lewis Communications Social Media Campaign
ViequesLove supported a social media campaign created by Lewis Communications to help reboot the 2018-19 tourism season. $5,000 was dedicated to provide four 30 second…
Malecon Temporary Repair
ViequesLove partnered with Navarro Construction and the municipal government to make temporary repairs to the Malecón in Esperanza. Balustrades were replaced, and the entire length…
Esperanza Fishermen’s Pier
Through the efforts of a partnership including Vieques Air Link, Chelao, The Bernice Shanklin Foundation, and Navarro Construction, the fishermen’s pier in Esperanza was repaired.…
Esperanza Sugarcane Pier Boat Dock Repair
ViequesLove purchased materials to rebuild the lower section of the Esperanza Sugarcane Pier allowing fishing boats to dock and recreational activities to resume. The pier…
Support to Vieques en Rescate
VER is a nonprofit organization serving the cancer patients on Vieques. ViequesLove is helping to enlarge their building to accommodate a treatment room to offer…
Emergency Supplies for Schools
ViequesLove provided cleaning supplies, paint, paper products, office supplies, first aid kits, generators and cisterns to the schools on Vieques in order for them to…
Marine Vessel Safety
Lights were purchased and installed at key locations to ensure the safety of marine vessels traveling at night, such as the ferry dock, Cayo Blanco…
Lessons Learned and Partners Gained
Not only were important lessons learned from Hurricane Maria for resilience and preparedness, but due to an overwhelming outpouring of response and support, ViequesLove found partners, collaborators, supporters, and friends of the island. We will continue our efforts to increase our network of magnificent participants, benefactors, and affiliates to work together for a better future for Vieques.
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