Chicago joins relief effort for victims of Guatemala eruption

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A volcanic eruption in Guatemala Sunday impacted thousands, and several efforts are underway in Chicago to help the victims more than 2,000 miles away.

Chicago's Guatemalan Consul General's office has released a list of donation drop-off locations and fundraising events happening throughout the Chicago area. About 50,000 Guatemalans live in Illinois, mostly in Chicago.

"I think the Guatemalan community is getting united," said Consul General Billy Munoz, referring the Chicago events taking place during the next few weeks. "It's important to try to send a message to the Guatemalan people that we are in this together."

Northwest Side restaurant Latin Patio is a drop-off center and fundraising location.

Owner and president of the Guatemalan Coalition of the Midwest Pablo Pineda is also the president of the Guatemalan Coalition of the Midwest said he wanted to "invite everybody to help because this is a sad situation we are living in Guatemala."

A stack of donations piled up in Pineda's restaurant. Items like masks and toothbrushes are critical, but Pineda also wants to send money to first responders who are dealing with victims near the volcano.

"We are collecting money to send to the hospitals and the fire department from Guatemala because they are needing a lot of things," Pineda said.

The Consul General has released a detailed list of items to donate, including:

Work Boots

Latex Gloves

Safety Glasses

Masks

Rescue Ropes

Towels

Burn Medications

First Aid Kits

Sheets

Diapers

Trash Bags

Non-Perishable Items, like beans, rice and sugar

Items can be dropped off at the following locations:

Dios de Pacto Church

5145 W. Grand Avenue, Chicago

Carnicerias Jimenez

4204 W. North Avenue, Chicago

3850 W. Fullerton Avenue, Chicago

5330 W. Belmont, Chicago

3850 W. North Avenue, Chicago

550 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling

240 W. Lake, Addison

717 Broadway St, Melrose Park

559 Main St., West Chicago

Mission Cristiana Church

1615 W. Morse, Chicago

Latin Patio Restaurant

3115 N. Central, Chicago

Tortugas Restaurant
3224 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago

The following fundraising events will also benefit victims of the eruption:

Latin Patio

June 9-10

3115 N. Central, Chicago

Phoenix Restaurant

June 9-10

1932 E. Higgins Road, Elk Grove Village

Restaurante Las Delicias

June 12th

4010 W. Montrose, Chicago

Pollo Campero

June 16th

4830 N. Pulaski, Chicago

Committee for Central America

June 23

3816 W. Montrose