WS Chronicle

One of the best-known songs about the American territory Puerto Rico is called “America,” from “West Side Story:”

“Puerto Rico, You lovely island … Island of tropical breezes. Always the pineapples growing,

Always the coffee blossoms blowing …

“Puerto Rico … You ugly island … Island of tropic diseases. Always the hurricanes blowing …”

The two visions of Puerto Rico in this song were presented to show two sides of the island as the character Maria falls in love. After Hurricane Maria visited on Sept. 20, the latter version presented is more appropriate.

The island is devastated. News reports show how Maria attacked the island with a vengeance, and there is talk about people starving there because the food and water are giving out. Maria destroyed much of the crops that could be used for food. There is little communication as the island is left without power.

Among the places the hurricane hit were Dominica, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Groups in Winston-Salem are organizing to send help to Texas, parts of which have been hurt because of flooding from Hurricane Harvey, which hit in late August. The help is taking a while to get to Texas as volunteers are recruited and money is gathered.

We can’t forget about Hurricane Irma’s strike in Florida on Sept. 10 and the Caribbean and Puerto Rico – on Sept. 6 – the first time.

Three hurricanes have wreaked a lot of havoc along the Gulf Coast, Caribbean, Florida and Puerto Rico. We are hearing about help flowing to Texas. Let’s not forget about the other Americans suffering.

And don’t forget to be aware of the organizations taking donations. Make sure to check out organizations with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) before giving. Donate only to trustworthy charities, be cautious of crowd-funding efforts and “storm chasers,” the BBB says.

To learn more about giving, visit go.bbb.org/2xrtpJh.