Calorcito pa'l Corazon

A trip to the emergency room anywhere can be and frequently is traumatic. In Puerto Rico, where tropical weather mean people are often dressed in shorts, tank tops and flip flops without time or opportunity to change or bring warm clothes, it can be even more difficult because people are not only injured, sick or helping someone else who is, they are also COLD. Emergency rooms are kept at low temperatures to keep bacteria and germs at bay, waiting time for admission can sometimes take a few days, and loved ones feel they cannot leave patients because they want to be sure they are aware of all the information from doctors and know what care has taken place.

In June 2014, Elaine visited a friend in the emergency room at Aguadilla Buen Samaritano Hospital and noticed an elderly woman in a corner bed who had wrapped herself in a plastic shower curtain - apparently the only thing she had with her - and was shivering. Although she had a younger woman with her, that woman also looked very cold. Having been in a similar situation herself the previous year, Elaine offered the woman her sweatshirt and a pair of warm socks. This gift was received with tears of gratitude. An idea was born - a community group who would collect and take blankets and warm clothing - free - to people in the emergency room.

To clearly understand this, I need to point out some differences between the medical system in Puerto Rico and that in the States. First, as mentioned above, ERs and hospitals are kept at quite chilly temperatures to keep down bacteria. While there is both public and private insurance, the medical system here is not driven by insurance companies and insurance payments; costs are lower here than in the States. Hospitals do not have huge laundry facilities for sheets, blankets and towels. While this helps keep costs down, it means patients and their families must provide their own linens.

Emergency rooms are different here as well. In the States, the goal is to get patients out of the ER as quickly as possible, either treated and released or admitted. In Puerto Rico a patient can remain in the ER for up to several days depending on treatment needs. Also, unlike the in the States where patients and families are separated at the treatment room door, patients here usually have one or more family members with them the whole time.

From the humble beginning of a gift of a sweatshirt and socks, the group Calorcito Pa'l Corazon (Warmth for the Heart) began. In August, 2014, the group held their first meetings and fundraiser at Limoi Lounge and received generous donations of cash (used for printing, purchase of needed delivery supplies, and more blankets) more than 20 new and used blankets, 150 new pairs of socks, and a variety of gently used warm clothing. Within less than two months the group had grown to over 30 volunteers and donations had reached the point where regular visits to the local hospitals could start.

Twice a week starting last October, volunteers take new and gently used blankets, warm clothing and pairs of new socks to Buen Samaritano Hospital in Aquadilla and San Carlos Hospital in Moca. Volunteers all have identity cards and pass out information cards to recipients explaining the purpose of the group and letting them know items are free, but they are welcome to re-donate them once they have finished using them. Each time people are so grateful to receive help with staying warm. In some cases, people have been in the emergency room for more than 24 hours without clothing or blankets to stay warm.

One older woman, who has cancer and is unfortunately a frequent visitor in the emergency room, was moved to tears when she was given warm pants, socks and a sheet. She then went on to tell others that the Calorcito Pa'l Corazon volunteers were there and several more people came out to the waiting area to ask for and receive items of warmth.

Buen Samaritano at Aguadilla Hospital currently has a group of hospital volunteers, headed by Lisette Martinez, who work in the main hospital and who have welcomed the donations from Calorcito Pa'l Corazon (CPC) as well. In early October, Lisette was so happy to receive more than a dozen quilts and comforters. She told CPC that the volunteer group had been out of blankets for more than two months because their regular supplier did not have any in stock. At San Carlos Hospital in Moca, there is no volunteer group and so CPC has been welcomed as a much needed service to people arriving at the emergency room there.

CPC held a fundraiser at Ola Lola's earlier this month. Thanks to the generosity - and despite the only rain in nearly six weeks - we raised over $1,000, one-third of the budget for the year.

Huge thanks to all the volunteers and community supporters. You've helped make people's lives a little better