Since Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico late September, Ricky Martin has been actively working to support his homeland. He's appeared on Ellen to raise awareness about the Hand in Hand Hurricane Relief Fund, he's launched his own fundraiser through the Ricky Martin Foundation and, now, he's landed on the hurricane-devastated island with several other Puerto Rican celebrities, including Luis Fonsi and Gloria Estefan.
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The 45-year-old gay performer visited many suffering locations, such as Loiza, a small beach town that's currently without food, water or any means of communication, much like the rest of Puerto Rico's 3.5 million population. Martin's been busy loading water bottles and other supplies into trucks, praising Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz, personally visiting victims of Maria and giving speeches before news crews to highlight the reality of Puerto Rico's dire situation.
His YouCaring fundraiser has a goal of $2 million, and is well on its way of exceeding it, currently approaching $1.9 million as of press time. Martin kicked things off with a personal $100,000 donation, which he says will go to provide Puerto Rico with food, water, clothing, medical supplies and solar suitcases "filled with light and hope to our communities, which are literally in the dark."
