Puerto Rico’s primary airport provides fundraising space for nonprofits
Aerostar, the company that operates Puerto Rico’s Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, announced the launch of its Espacio de Solidaridad (Solidarity Space) initiative. The project will provide a high-traffic location at the island’s primary airport for nonprofit entities to promote their causes and fundraising efforts.
Aerostar Puerto Rico’s president, Jorge Hernández, outlined the concept, explaining that the project consists of five modules offered to organizations to showcase their work, promote their initiatives and facilitate donations. Each module is equipped with a donation box for the public to contribute to their causes.
The first organization to occupy one of the spots will be the Fundación Puertorriqueña Síndrome Down. In collaboration between the organization and the airport, representatives from both entities inaugurated an exhibition at the airport’s Terminal B.
“The airport has opened its doors to the children and adults associated with the Fundación Puertorriqueña Síndrome Down, who, with great effort and dedication, work to improve the quality of life of people with Down syndrome and their families,” Hernández said. “For us, this meeting is very important. It represents the first of a series of projects that seek to facilitate the great work carried out by nonprofit entities in Puerto Rico.”
The exhibition focuses on the projects and services that the organization offers to the community of people with the condition.
“To showcase the services offered by Fundación Puertorriqueña Síndrome Down in such a significant location as the international airport adds fundamental value to the achievement of our objectives,” said Stephanie Ávila-Berríos, the foundation’s executive director. “The opportunity provided by Aerostar for this type of presence will help us increase fundraising through collection boxes and the ATH Móbil platform. Likewise, it will allow both local and international travelers to become acquainted with the foundation and its 35 years of consecutive service to individuals with Down syndrome. Additionally, they will gain a better understanding of how each dollar of their donation will be invested.”
The Aerostar executive made the first contribution into the foundation’s collection box for the occasion. He was joined by Ávila-Berríos; José Torres, the foundation’s president; and two participants from the organization’s programs.
“Nongovernmental organizations make significant contributions to the well-being of people with disabilities and functional diversity. They are highly efficient in their work, thanks to their organization and a workforce primarily composed of volunteers. Therefore, they require the support of the public to continue their good work. We urge other entities to use the airport as a base for fundraising and educating about their causes. Likewise, we invite the public to contribute generously to these organizations,” Hernández added.
The group, dressed in black shirts displaying the slogan “Descubre mis talentos y te sorprenderás” (“Discover my talents and you will be surprised”), proceeded with the ribbon-cutting ceremony, officially inaugurating the initiative.
