Let MaryAnn Vasquez, a local Puerto Rican-American, tell you her story of Hurricane Maria.

Get Your tickets to the April 15 Gala to support Puerto Rico and the Blue Wave 2018

Puerto Rico - Maria changed everything By Maryann Vazquez I've always been a proud Puerto Rican.  My father grew up in Ponce -  that island is my history.  I still have Cousins and Aunts on what was a beautiful tropical paradise.  Hurricane Maria made landfall on September 20 th at 6:15 am. and the Island was decimated. It will ever be the island again that I promised I would take my daughter and grand-daughter to again. My cousins and uncle on the mainland quickly started exchanging phone calls, emails and texts to find out how our family on the island was doing. There were no responses initially, but several days later, we did find that the many of them are safe, and from others we have had no contact. Since then, the people in the outlying areas within 40 minutes of San Juan are not receiving food and water for survival even 10 days later.  They don't have electricity, potable water, sanitation systems or other life's basis needs. I have two aunts in a nursing facility, and they are at high risk.  I'm concerned for them and other people who may be dying. My cousin Cookie has cancer - is she getting the treatment she needs?  How many others are in the same position? I can't image what it feels like not to know if or when someone would be coming to help.  It would feel like the whole world was gone and no one cared.  How hopeless would that feel?  In Puerto Rico now Americans are drinking from streams that are likely toxic.  Americans are being reduced to living in a third-world culture.   Government agencies have advised people to register on line for assistance even though the island's power grid and communications lines are down. Trump is blaming the victims for not taking action.  How can you, if you don't have access to basic human needs?  The mayor of San Juan pleaded last night for federal aid.  She pleaded "If anyone out there is listening to us, we are dying and you are killing us with the inefficiency and bureaucracy".  "I'm asking the members of the press to send a Mayday call all over the world.   We are dying here.  If we don't get food and water into people's hands, what we are going to see is something that is close to a genocide." This is a life and death story, and she's talking about my people - our fellow American Citizens.  (Written for the Downers Grove Township Democrats'  Blog on October 3, 2017. Thank you, Mary Ann) PLEASE SUPPORT MARY ANN AND HER FAMILY BY JOINING US APRIL 15th! More info below.  BECOME A MEMBER NOW Your Gala ticket will support the recovery efforts led by Mayor Carmen Cruz of San Juan, Puerto Rico, our Keynote for the night. These efforts will help Mary Ann Vasquez' family and many, many more of our fellow citizens still struggling to get their basic lives back in order.  April 15th 4:30-9:30 PM Annual DPDC Gala Drury Lane. Oakbrook Order your tickets, sponsorship and advertising requests by going here: TICKETS PRINTABLE REGISTRATION FORM Questions? Please write to Events@dupagedemocrats.com Give directly to the recovery efforts two ways: 1) 25$ from every ticket sold (and a portion of the ad book) will go toward Alguien Ayúdenos. You can reach the charity at that link if you would like to give beyond the ticket donation or cannot attend on April 15. WANT TO VOLUNTEER FOR THIS YEAR'S GALA OR IN ANY OF A DOZEN OTHER WAYS? Click here now WE NEED YOUR EYES AT THE POLLS! POLL WATCHER TRAINING Work with our Election Protection operation for the primary (3/20)  Poll watching/Election Protection Training  WHEN: Sunday March 18th (two choices of times)  WHERE: DPDC Main Office MAP (Seating is limited and we may not be able to accommodate walk-ins)  Sign up here for either the 1 PM or the 3 PM Training. Please bring a pen and clipboard.  Questions: electionprotection@dupagedemocrats.com EXACTLY 1 WEEK AWAY: Informing your neighbors makes a difference: Pew study Can you spare 2-4 hours in this time to inform neighbors? A 2006 study by Pew Research Center entitled, "Who Votes, Who Doesn't, and Why," indicated that "Political knowledge is key: Six-in-ten intermittent voters say they sometimes don't know enough about candidates to vote compared with 44% of regular voters, the single most important attitudinal difference between intermittent and regular voters identified in the survey." Just a few blocks and the info provided below can make all the difference when it comes to informing your neighbors and making sure they make and execute a plan to vote NO MATTER WHAT.   We will give you all the materials and support you need: contacts in your township, scripts for outreach and the list of likeliest Democratic voters in the blocks surrounding your home.  2 hours a week is all it takes and the uptick in turnout will amaze you and elect women and Democrats. Most importantly, you will be doing something to combat the frustration that Trump and company hopes will immobilize you.  Sign Up Here Right Now BE AN INFORMED VOTER AND DISTRIBUTOR OF VOTING INFORMATION! Your full list of DuPage Candidates can be found here A full complement of Voter information can be found here, here and here.  YOU ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF THIS WAVE. Help us reach as many voters as possible over the next week by giving of your time, talent and treasure now. Thanks. Democratic Party of DuPage County | info@dupagedemocrats.com | 630-629-1125 | www.dupagedemocrats.com  A copy of our financial report can be found at the DuPage Election Commission or ordered from the Illinois State Board of Elections. STAY CONNECTED:

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