Sito Sanchez, president of Peachstate Hobby Distribution, LLC, was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In the wake of Hurricane Maria, Sanchez has organized a campaign to raise money for two charities, and is urging other members of the gaming industry to contribute.

Sanchez started a GoFundMe campaign, with an initial goal of $50,000 for United for Puerto Rico and ConPRmetidos. United for Puerto Rico is an initiative started by Beatriz Rossello, First Lady of Puerto Rico (wife of Gov. Ricardo A. Rossello), and private sector corporations, to provide aid and support to those affected by the Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria. ConPRmetidos is a non-profit NGO partnering with Foundation for Puerto Rico as its fiscal sponsor, to finance needs assessment efforts, long-term structural repairs to the most vulnerable communities, and power as a service, for those affected by Hurricane Maria.

“All of the money will go to assist the most immediate needs for the country,” Sanchez said. “Regardless of the urgent need, be it medical supplies, fuel or building materials, the money will reach the country through properly vetted and trusted organizations.  All donation records and complete accounting will be posted on our PHD website so that total transparency will be maintained.”

Paizo, Inc and Steve Jackson Games have donated to the effort, as have executives of PHD, PSI, CMON, Iello, Skybound Entertainment, and Premier Hobby Distribution. Game store owners from Star City Games, Gnome Games, The Game Board, Gathering Games, Generation X, and Druid City Games have also contributed.

Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico on September 20, destroying homes, knocking out power over the entire island, and triggering heavy flooding. This was less than two weeks after Hurricane Irma caused flooding and heavy damage to some areas. The island is experiencing a humanitarian crisis, lacking basic access to water, power, food, and fuel, with relief coming in slowly.

Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States, which means Puerto Ricans are American citizens by birth, the same as anyone born in the 50 states, the District of Columbia the Northern Mariana Island, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam.