'This is a Forgotten Island,' Bethenny Frankel on Puerto Rico
"Real Housewives of New York City" star Bethenny Frankel who is still recovering from cancer removal surgery has traveled all the way to Puerto Rico to help Hurricane Maria victims.
"This is a forgotten island," Frankel said. "People have been living on their roofs for 13 days. It is like nothing I have ever seen. People's entire homes and cars are immersed in mud, the likes I've never seen."
The reality star chartered four planes which carried over 20,000 lbs. of donated medical and survival supplies. Basic necessities such as water, canned goods, diapers, baby food were distributed. Insulin, courtesy of Univision, was also brought to the island through Frankel's efforts.
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In addition, Frankel brought in 2,000 lbs. of non-perishable, nutrient-packed meals from Feeding America and City Harvest, $25,000 in cash gift cards from Yieldstreet, and $30,000 in Costco gift cards. She visited towns surrounding San Juan, dropped by children's hospitals, and more.
With the help of The Global Empowerment Mission, the reality star is close to raising over $1 million in donations for Puerto Rico. Andy Cohen, Donny Deutsch, and Elvis Duran are a few of the many who donated and supported the cause.
Frankel announced that she is working on chartering a fifth plane. Apart from carrying supplies, the planes were used to transport Puerto Rican residents in need of medical attention. The sick, the wounded, children, and cancer patients have been taken to local hospital in the U.S. for treatment.
The reality star emphasized that the low death toll only represents fatalities when the storm hit the island. She said, "Now is when people are dying." Frankel stated that it is no time to play the blame game and urged anyone willing to listen and help to provide a methodical way of delegating relief to victim.
Prior to helping Puerto Rico, Frankel raised over $300,000 for Houston and $150,000 for Mexico.
