One month after a devastating earthquake struck Venezuela, a Bronx man continues leading a growing relief effort to help those impacted in his home country.
News 12 first met Dave Brito, a Key Food store manager, just days after the earthquake as he drove around the five boroughs collecting donations. Since then, Brito said the community response has only continued to grow.
When asked how the effort has changed over the past month, Brito said simply, “It grew super fast.”
Brito said thousands of New Yorkers have volunteered since the donation drive began, helping collect at least 250 pallets and six truckloads of donations.
For Brito, the mission is deeply personal.
His family was in Venezuela when the earthquake struck.
“Thank God, my family is good,” Brito said. “I’m glad my own family isn’t directly affected, but everyone as Venezuelans are worried.”
Brito said his concern extends beyond his own family.
“We’re Venezuelan we feel our country like that and our heart is still there in Venezuela... these are our people. They need help and we want to help them,” he said.
The relief effort has also expanded beyond his Key Food store in Castle Hill.
Brito's home has become a donation hub, where wheelchairs, crutches, diapers, food and other supplies are sorted and assembled before being shipped to Venezuela.
“I have wheelchairs... and I had a lot of crutches... we have some food here and diapers,” Brito said.
Despite the growing support, Brito said the tragedy continues to weigh heavily on him.
“It makes me feel super sad, of course,” he said. “It's a tragedy. I feel super worried about my own people.”
As the donation drive continues, Brito said he remains committed to helping those affected by the earthquake.
“We’re doing our best,” he said.
He also shared a message for people in Venezuela.
“We are with you... We are closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela and everything happening there. Believe me, from New York, we are doing everything possible to help you.”
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