Cape Coral woman organizes relief drive after Colombia's strongest quake this century

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WINK)—A Colombian American woman in Southwest Florida is leading a relief effort after a devastating earthquake struck her home country.

A 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit western Colombia Monday, the strongest recorded in the country this century. At least 280 people were killed, and tens of thousands of buildings were damaged.

For Stephanie Pineda, a Colombian American support lead, the images from the disaster are deeply personal. She was born in the United States but raised in Colombia.

"I love my home country. I was born here, but I was raised there too, and it's part of me. It's part of who I am. I am a proud Colombian American," Pineda said.

That connection quickly turned into action. Pineda started calling businesses and organizations, working out how to collect supplies in Southwest Florida and get them into the right hands in Colombia.

"I had an aunt specifically that's in a wheelchair, and to hear how she had to be brought down with neighbors from a seventh floor down to their first floor, and everybody was just in fear, it was complete mayhem," Pineda said.

"We've been receiving pictures and videos of individuals, recipients, that have been receiving bags of food, milk, water, things like that. So yeah, we're really thankful for that," Pineda said.

Eight drop-off locations are currently accepting donations across Southwest Florida.

In Fort Myers, donations can be dropped off at LQ Commercial Group, Caroline's Compassionate Counseling and Ceviche by Divino.

In Cape Coral, drop-off spots include La Venezia, Monkey Bar and J & A Tax Services.

Marzucco Real Estate in Naples and El Gaucho Inca in Estero are also collecting supplies.

WINK News stopped by one of eight drop-off locations, the Monkey Bar in Cape Coral, where owner Claudia Garcia showed what people have already donated.

"We got tarps here, blankets, some personal hygiene things, baby wipes, toothpaste, toothbrushes," Garcia said.

Garcia says they're not looking for clothes. What they need most are first-aid kits, hygiene products, tarps, blankets, flashlights and canned food.

For Garcia, this is personal too.

"It really kind of hurts; it touches my heart because a lot of people are dead and they need our help," Garcia said.