When Lydia Caccamo learned that a devastating earthquake had struck western Colombia, she wanted to find a way to help.
Caccamo and Karen Sepp, the Western Nassau Democratic Club’s directors for Franklin Square, organized a weeklong collection drive for families affected by the Aug. 10 earthquake.
The 7.4-magnitude temblor struck western Colombia, causing widespread destruction and damaging homes, hospitals and other infrastructure. The disaster prompted a humanitarian response as communities organized to provide food, medical supplies, hygiene products and other necessities to those affected by the quake.
In Franklin Square, the response began with a personal connection. Caccamo said she learned about the quake from a coworker who has family in Colombia. She asked what she and Sepp could do to help and was given information about the types of supplies that were needed and where donations were being collected.
For about a week, Caccamo and Sepp collected donations from community members after spreading the word through the Western Nassau Democratic Club, other Nassau County Democratic clubs and the Joe Scianablo and Joylette Williams campaigns. They filled Sepp’s truck with emergency supplies ranging from hygiene products and diapers to first aid supplies, cleaning products and other necessities.
The Colombia effort followed other community service projects organized by the Democratic club, including helping send supplies to Ukraine and supporting local food banks and churches.
“We get food for food banks,” Sepp said. “There are some churches that we donate to.”
The collection for Colombia gave Franklin Square residents a way to contribute directly to the relief effort, even though the disaster was thousands of miles away. Sepp and Caccamo drove the truck full of supplies to Puerto Plata Seafood on the Water in Freeport, where donations for the Colombia relief effort were being collected.
For Carl Gerrato, president of the Western Nassau Democratic Club and a Franklin Square resident, the effort showed the willingness of people in the community to help when others face a crisis.
“Our area is ethnically diverse,” Gerrato said. “It was a perfect opportunity to do something good.”
Gerrato said the club is involved in community projects beyond its political work and looks for opportunities to support residents and communities in need.
The Western Nassau Democratic Club, which is just over a year old, represents several communities, including Elmont, Bellerose, Bellerose Village, Floral Park, South Floral Park, South New Hyde Park, Stewart Manor, Franklin Square and West Hempstead. Each community has directors who help keep the club informed about what is happening in their respective areas.
The Colombia collection began after Caccamo learned about the needs of people affected by the earthquake and asked how she and Sepp could help. They then brought the information to the club and worked with other local organizations to spread the word about the collection.
“Everybody was very generous with their donations,” Caccamo said.
The club has previously participated in relief efforts, including collecting supplies for Ukraine. Members also support food banks and local churches through donations.
For Caccamo, the effort was an opportunity to show that helping a community does not have to be limited by geography.
“People should take care of the community and do what they can,” she said.
After the supplies were dropped off in Freeport, Caccamo and Sepp said they were glad to know they were contributing to the broader relief effort.
“We’re just happy that the supplies were delivered and on their way to the people who need them,” Caccamo said.
