Arpin transports three shipping containers of supplies to Puerto Rico to aid in hurricane recovery

WEST WARWICK, R.I. – Arpin International Group has transported three 40-foot shipping containers filled with emergency supplies, food and bottled water to Puerto Rico to aid in recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Maria. Sylk Negron of Sylk Marti Studios, an Arpin International Group client, grew up in Puerto Rico. Along with her friend, Ivy Linares, she led the call for donations and began a grassroots effort to provide much needed relief to the island. “On Sept. 20, Category 5 Hurricane Maria left 95 percent of the island without electricity, gas or water, affecting 3.5 million people,” said Negron. “My friend, Ivy Linares of Parties and Balloons E, contacted me and asked me if I would join her in a relief effort for our friends and families in Puerto Rico. What started as a small effort with the two of us asking our friends to help send food, water and first aid, ended up becoming a massive collaboration involving many supporters. We were able to get assistance from several companies, including Arpin, which gracefully donated a container for the goods collected. Another organization named Puerto Rico Rising Chicago, led by Julian Seda, joined us and helped us by donating two containers filled with goods. Supplies will be distributed throughout six municipalities: Bayamon, Caguas, Utuado, San Lorenzo, Yabucoa and Aguadilla. We hope Puerto Rico rises again—together we stand strong.” Arpin Group donated one 40-foot shipping container and coordinated the shipping effort to transport three of the four total containers to Puerto Rico on behalf of Sylk and her team. Both Arpin and Glen Ellyn Mayflower had volunteers on site to help package and load the supplies. The supplies are scheduled to arrive Nov. 9. Bridget Ritchie, vice president of global business development at Arpin Group, provided on-the-ground coordination of the packing and shipping on behalf of the company. “Having the honor and privilege of being involved with this has been truly heartwarming,” said Ritchie. “Seeing the dedication of Sylk, Ivy, Julian and the many people involved was inspiring. It will take a long time for Puerto Rico to rebuild, so having basic needs will help them survive these initial weeks and months in order to get to the point where they can rebuild. I’m so happy Arpin and Arpin Strong were afforded this hands-on opportunity to help. We thank our partner, Chris Grigsby and the team at Glen Ellyn Mayflower for the amazing job they did in assisting us with this effort!”