The Town of Babylon has spent the last two weeks collecting emergency supplies to be sent down to Ecuador to aid in the country’s recovery from a devastating earthquake. To date, the 7.8 magnitude earthquake has caused over 600 deaths, more than 12,000 injuries, and nearly 200,000 citizens are now homeless. Recalling the charitable help that the Town received following Superstorm Sandy, Councilman Tom Donnelly and Deputy Supervisor Tony Martinez have spearheaded this effort as a way to “pay it forward.” The Town has been in contact with the Quito Fire Department, one of the organizations leading the relief effort in Ecuador.
Thanks to the generosity of its residents, the Town collected more than a dozen large boxes of non-perishable food items, gloves, elbow and knee pads, flashlights, and blankets. Early next week, the Town of Babylon Department of Public Works will transport the supplies to the Consulate General of Ecuador in New York City, where they will then be shipped to the Quito Fire Department.
Pictured from left to right are Catherine Babish, Receiver of Taxes Corinne DiSomma, Anthony Borrero, Babylon IDA CEO Matthew McDonough, Councilman Donnelly, and Deputy Supervisor Martinez.