'We had to do something to help them:' Milwaukee donation drive supports Venezuela earthquake victims

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- People across the Milwaukee area came together Saturday, June 27 to support families affected by this week's deadly earthquakes in Venezuela.

Voces de la Frontera hosted a donation drive, collecting medical supplies, hygiene items, children's supplies and clothing for people impacted by the disaster.

Ana Gilmond, a volunteer from Venezuela, said watching the devastation unfold left the local community determined to help.

"What’s going on there, we feel it in our hearts we had to do something to help them," she said.

For many who attended the donation drive, the crisis is personal.

Maria Fanny Salas, who lost a family member in the earthquakes, said her first thought was how she could help her loved ones still in Venezuela.

“The first thing that came to my mind is oh my god what am I going to do, how am I going to help, my sister is there,” Salas said.

She said basic necessities are desperately needed.

“We don’t have anything there so anything that you can do is helpful doesn't matter what it is, food, water, anything really help because my county is in really bad shape right now,” Salas said.

The donation drive comes as the death toll continues to rise. More than 1,400 people have been killed, and thousands more remain missing.

Salas said her family is grieving together while relying on support from one another.

“We did have a loss in our family, but we stick together and this something we’re all suffering from right now and it’s not just my family. We’re praying and staying close because it’s definitely hard,” she said.

She also said the Milwaukee-area Venezuelan community quickly united to organize the donation effort.

"At first it was like three of us and then everybody got together and that’s what identified us as Venezuelans -- we stick together," Salas said.

Gilmond said the community plans to continue supporting people in Venezuela as they recover.

"Our hearts are over there that’s why I have all the Venezuelan colors with me. I have what says, ‘until the end with them’ because whatever they need from me and from all of us we’re going to be there supporting our people,” she said.