Lee County residents organize aid for Colombia after earthquake

Hilario Bustillo, a Colombian immigrant who moved to Fort Myers five years ago, is organizing a supply donation drive at his business on Pondella Road following a 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Colombia on Monday. "I ask the people, please, instead of dividing, we have to unite, unite to help the people," Bustillo said in Spanish. Bustillo shared his sorrow over the disaster. "It is very painful for us to know that our brothers and sisters are going through this," he said in Spanish. First responders in major Colombian cities are searching for people trapped in collapsed buildings as rescue efforts continue. Silvia Diez, president of the Southwest Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, described the emotional toll of the situation. "[It's] truly very sad, very sad because we want to help more than we are able to do with our own hands," Diez said in Spanish. Stephanie Pineda with LQ Commercial Services expressed her devastation after learning about the destruction caused by the earthquake. Pineda, who has family in Cali, Colombia, said, "To hear about the , places that I frequently visited, hospitals, restaurants, homes completely destroyed. That was in itself a day that I didn't expect to wake up to." Pineda highlighted the importance of donations of necessities such as first aid kits, nonperishable food, and clothes. "I feel like we need, big or small, any type of donation, any kind of help. In my mind, it's always trying to help, you know, trying to be the change," she said. To donate supplies, you can also go to the following places: All in Home in North Fort Myers Marzucco Real Estate in Naples El Gaucho Inca in Estero La Venezia in Cape Coral J&A Tax Services in Cape Coral LQ Commercial Services in Fort Myers Ceviches by Divino in Fort Myers Carolina's Compassionate Counseling in Gateway DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.