CHICAGO — Cubs player Rene Rivera and his wife are helping raise money for storm-ravaged Puerto Rico.
The couple's fundraiser is being hosted on GoFundMe and has raised more than $15,200 to date to help rebuild Puerto Rico. Rivera, a catcher for the Cubs and native of Puerto Rico, has said he will match the money raised. Rivera's teammates Javier Baez and Victor Caratini are also raising money for the campaign with their significant others.
The fundraiser was originally organized by Rivera's wife, Mariel Perez, after the island was hit by Hurricane Irma last week. Perez had hoped to raise money to buy uniforms, backpacks and school supplies for 100 children in Puerto Rico. But Hurricane Maria knocked out power to the island earlier this week, and the fundraiser's focus changed.
At least one person in Puerto Rico has been killed by the hurricane Maria, which also left buildings and road destroyed. The island is facing flooding and unique difficulties with recovery in the coming days, according to The New York Times.
Perez has been posting about Puerto Rico and ways people can help the U.S. territory for days.
Help us help! I will be matching what you guys donate!
— Rene Rivera (@ReneRivera13) September 14, 2017
🇵🇷 ayúdenos a ayudar! Estaré igualando lo que donen! https://t.co/z0fYDxb8Lq
Guys, we have relocated the gofundme donations to help rebuild our island of Puerto Rico. Every dollar counts! https://t.co/RebnE3pz1r
— Rene Rivera (@ReneRivera13) September 21, 2017
Today's 50/50 raffle tickets will benefit Hurricane Irma victims! If you would like help me help #PuertoRico https://t.co/dwymE2OPls pic.twitter.com/epwNPVD1HI
— Mariel Perez (@MarielLaMejor) September 16, 2017
