Jacksonville business ships 45,000 pounds of donations to Puerto Rico

Aqua Gulf Express has collected enough materials to ship about 45,000 pounds of donations to hurricane-impacted areas of Puerto Rico.

This will be the 16th container they have packed for relief efforts to the area.

“We load containers here, donations containers throughout the year, for Puerto Rico for the aftermath of Hurricane Maria last year,” said Scott Fernandez, vice president of  business development at Aqua Gulf Express.

The Jacksonville business has partnered with three main associations for this project: Puerto Rico Physicians Associations of North Florida, Puerto Rican Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Jacksonville Port Authority.

Members with Puerto Rico Physicians Associations of North Florida have traveled with the donation trucks to personally deliver these items to families in need. They said the need has shifted from basic survival kits to rebuilding items.

“It’s getting better, but the center of the island still needs a lot of help; a lot of people actually need help,” Aqua Express’ vice president Kenny Santos said. “Power, food, housing and that’s what you’re seeing here. We’re going to continue helping the people of Puerto Rico.”

The business is continuing to collect donations and said they will ship another truck when it becomes full.

Saturday’s shipment is scheduled to leave Jaxport on Tuesday morning and expected to reach Puerto Rico by Friday morning.

Cox Media Group