lifestyle

American Society of Panama

Urgent request for assistance for victims of ongoing floods
and landslides in Chiriqui and Bocas del Toro provinces

The American Society of Panama appeals to its membership and the American community in Panama to be generous at this moment of need for many in Panama.

As you are all aware there is a major natural disaster occurring in Chiriqui and Bocas del Toro provinces, and neighboring areas. The rains, landslides, and swelling rivers causing flooding have destroyed many homes, roads, bridges and crops of thousands of residents of those areas. Boquete, Volcan, Paso Ancho, Bambito, Cerro Punta, Isla Colon, and many other areas are among those catastrophically affected. There are some that have died, many that have been injured, and many more that have lost their homes and the little they had and we have been advised that in some cases homes and businesses that were affected were then victims of looting. We need to assist our affected neighbors. Only a chance of fortune has made someone else the victim and you the person able to assist and extend a helping hand.

Some of us are natives of Panama, others are guests in Panama. Panama opened its doors to us or our ancestors' and now it is time for us to open our hearts to our hosts. Please be generous. We need to assist in whatever form we can. Every donation is a generous gesture and will be welcomed by the victims. There are collection points set up in Parque Omar in Panama City for donations. There are other sites being established right now and as we are informed of where they are we will send out that information to you. The rains are expected to last another 3 days.

Please look in your closets and pantries and be generous. We are so fortunate. We can be generous.

They do not want and will not accept donations of perishables. What they are asking for are dry goods:

• Canned foods

• Packaged foods that are not perishable and do not require refrigeration

• Canned or dry milk, both liquid and powdered milk

• Milk in cartons that does not require refrigeration

• Bottled water

• Pampers, baby bottles, diapers

• Clean used clothes and shoes in good reusable state

• Items of children's clothing

• Mattresses and bed linen

• Blankets

Please donate and take your items to the collection point at Parque Omar. You will be informed as soon as we are informed of other collection points.

I do not recommend cash donations at the contribution points until there is a system set up for accountability and transparency in handling these donations. As soon as we are informed of the implementation of such a system we will notify you. If any member wishes to donate money The American Society will give you a receipt for your donations and we will use those funds to purchase items listed above. These donations can be used for tax deductions for your Panama taxes.

Please be generous.

 
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