My name is Alina Brugal, and I’m a graduate of Manhasset High Sch
ool. I have been a resident of Manhasset for 22 years. I’m hoping that you can write and include some type of article in the Manhasset Press newspaper in regards to my current fundraising for Nepal. I most likely won’t have much access to my email over the next few days since I will be up in the mountains of Nepal, so please feel free to use any quotes from my blurb below if you decide to write up an article. It would mean SO much if an article was sent out to those back home about my efforts. If you have any follow-up questions or would like to discuss, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I can keep you posted on our efforts as well throughout our mission, including pictures and updates.
After I graduated from Boston College in May 2014, I immediately started working in NYC. After nine months of living at home and saving up money, I made the decision to take a year off while I’m young and can: to travel, volunteer and work various jobs around the world (I was in Thailand for two weeks, now in Nepal for a month and a half, will be in Australia for a few months and New Zealand for another few months). I arrived in Kathmandu with my boyfriend Brian Ford (a fellow ’14 BC grad who is from Berlin, CT) on April 16 and spent three nights in the city until we left to Pokhara, where we will be living for a month and a half to volunteer at an orphanage. I was here in Pokhara, Nepal, during the 7.9 magnitude earthquake that took place on Saturday, April 25—fortunately I was away from most of the damage that took place. Pokhara has minimal damage/deaths/injuries, opposed to Kathmandu and villages around the epicenter of the quake. Despite relief efforts from various organizations, many of the villages are still in desperate need of supplies (food, water, tents, medical supplies, blankets, clothes, as well as a lift in morale) ASAP. It’s an insanely tragic event that occurred, and I can’t help but feel that I’m here for a reason and have the choice to either stay idle or to physically help out. I’m choosing the latter.
Yesterday, April 28, Brian and I met with other passionate social activists who are fundraising money for supplies and personally delivering them to these suffering villages. We will be heading out this morning for about three to five days with volunteers from all over the world on 4×4 jeeps, packed with supplies, eager to help make a difference amidst this devastating situation. Relief efforts that have been previously focused on largely populated areas in Kathmandu are just beginning to make it to these villages near the epicenter, where 90 percent of houses in these villages of thousands of people are destroyed. They need our help and support ASAP.
Please consider donating to our cause that will go directly in helping those that are suffering this very moment. All current proceeds will go directly towards these next couple of relief missions, to provide basic survival needs. Additional money will be set aside for long term sustainable and planned out projects over the next couple of weeks. It would mean SO much to help the wonderful people of Nepal—who reside in one of the poorest countries in the world.
Thank you in advance for any donations. Much love to all from Nepal—please wish us luck and keep us in your prayers! Namaste Manhasset community.
Donations can be made here: www.gofundme.com/saveruralnepal.
Thank you so much. I really appreciate any publicity I can get in an effort to raise money for the current situation in Nepal.
Alina Brugal
