Step up to help earthquake victims

The cartoon character Scrooge with a bunch of balloons is not the most traditional travel agent, but he is the one who first inspired Ben Roggio to visit Venezuela. Now, motivated by the people he met there, he is raising funds for victims of the earthquakes that struck the country last month.

Ruggio’s virtual travel agent is Carl Frederiksen, the main character in the Pixar film “Up” who travels to Paradise Falls, a fictional location modeled on Angel Falls in Venezuela. “Ever since I saw this movie, I wanted to visit this place,” he said. He finally got there earlier this year. “It’s amazing – amazing. You have to see it to believe it.” His trip also included stops in Caracas, the country’s capital, and in La Guaira, where he taught English at a local school.

While many Americans associate Venezuela with crisis, politics, poverty and fear, Roggio had a different experience. “The Venezuela I lived was full of warmth, generosity, humor, resilience and people who welcomed me like family,” he said.

Ben Roggio poses with his boating buddies during a trip to Venezuela, where he says the friendliness and generosity of the people left a lasting impression. -Photo courtesy Ben Roggio

Tragedy struck the country on June 24, when two major earthquakes struck northwest and central Venezuela. More than 3,500 people died, at least 16,000 were injured, and up to 10,000 people remain missing. NASA satellite data indicates that nearly 59,000 buildings were damaged or collapsed, including hospitals and schools. More than 17,000 people have become homeless.

“I was informed by contacts in Caracas that one of the schools where I was teaching for a few days had been reduced to rubble, and children were still missing,” Roggio said. In response, he created Venezuela Beyond the Headlines to raise money for immediate relief.

Because he has heard reports that the Venezuelan government is withholding aid, Roggio is bypassing standard channels to send money directly to people he knows on the ground. Donations will be used to meet urgent needs, including food, clean water, hygiene supplies, baby supplies, school materials, and direct financial support to affected families.

The earthquakes devastated the city of La Guyara, where Roggio volunteered as a teacher. -Photo courtesy Hebert Stories

He was quick to clarify that his effort is a personal fundraiser, not a non-profit or registered charity, and the donations are likely not tax deductible. However, he promises full accountability. “I have a transparency tracker and will document how funds are used through receipts, transfer records, updates and photos,” he added.

This is not the first time Roggio has stepped up during a crisis. In March, he helped find a missing 8-year-old Marshfield boy. “That experience reinforced something I strongly believe in: when vulnerable people have a problem, you take action if you can,” he said. He was planning a return trip to Venezuela before the earthquakes hit, and still hopes to return there once it is safe to do so. “These are not abstract titles for me. They are communities, teachers, children and families connected to people I know and care about.”

To donate, go to https://gofund.me/7612528e8.

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