With Puerto Rico in a state of despair after Hurricane Maria swept through the island, Kiké Hernandez and his fiancée, Mariana, have spearheaded an effort to raise money for those impacted. Hernandez was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and has family still living on the U.S. territory.
“It’s extremely frustrating. We can’t really communicate that much,” Hernandez said of attempting to remain in contact with his family members. “We have to wait for them to be able to drive somewhere where they have service to call us. But you can’t have a normal conversation, because call is breaking up half the time.”
Hernandez’s efforts have been supported by Justin Turner and others within the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. The team made a separate donation to the American Red Cross, and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation held auctions to generate proceeds that a portion of which were contributed to relief efforts.
“For my teammates to have my back like that really means the world to us,” Hernandez said. “Right now they are all we have because our families are stuck in Puerto Rico. Baseball is what’s not only getting me, but getting Mariana through days. It’s a much-needed distraction from all of this.”
Turner donated on his behalf, his fiancée’s Kourtney Pogue, and the Justin Turner Foundation. “I know he and his fiancée have family over there,” Turner said. “I can’t get on a plane and go over there to get on the ground and help, but I think financially we can try to make an impact, try to make a difference and help people just survive right now.
“If you look at what’s going on over there, it’s sad. No power, no food, no water, not very many resources are capable of getting there right now. People are trying to get out of there. I think it’s great what Kiké is doing. I just want to support him as a teammate and friend.”
Turner has been a mainstay in the Los Angeles community since signing with the Dodgers, and he’s been credited for inspiring teammates to pursue their own charitable efforts.
“I’m proud of Kiké for using his platform to try to help Puerto Rico get back on their feet,” Turner said. “Hopefully more guys around the clubhouse get involved.”
To make a donation to Hernandez’s campaign, click here.
