Since Puerto Rico was ravaged by Hurricane Maria earlier this week, celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez are speaking out on behalf of the beloved U.S. territory to help kick-start rebuilding efforts.
In a video posted to Instagram, the actress and singer not only encouraged her more than 69 million followers to donate to relief efforts, but also revealed how the hurricane has affected her own family.
"What’s on my mind is what's going on in Puerto Rico. The devastation is beyond belief," Lopez, who was born in the Bronx to Puerto Rican parents, began. "Me and my cousin still haven’t been able to hear from our families over there."
"What’s foremost on my mind and many others is trying to figure out the best way to help," she continued. "Today, Puerto Rico needs our help. I urge you to support and donate to the efforts of the First Lady of Puerto Rico, Beatriz Areizaga. Together we can help rebuild our island, and the Caribbean."
Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez hang out in hometown NYC Alex Rodriguez talks about his relationship with Jennifer Lopez
Puerto Rico's office of emergency management confirmed to ABC News that 100 percent of the island lost power in the hurricane, which was a Category 4 storm when it made landfall Wednesday morning. A spokesperson for Puerto Rico's governor's office confirmed that one person had died.
Other celebrities born on the U.S. mainland to Puerto Rican parents, such as Marc Anthony and Rosie Perez, or from the island itself, including Ricky Martin and Daddy Yankee, have taken to social media to encourage support for the rebuilding of the island territory.
"I need your help. Puerto Rico needs you at the moment," Martin, 45, told his fans in a video on Instagram. "Puerto Rico is in a precarious position at the moment. We can't do it alone. We need you."
Daddy Yankee shared a video of those gathering supplies to "rebuild #PuertoRico," he said in a caption on Twitter early Friday.
#NYC thank you! We don't stop . Let's rebuild #PuertoRico ! ???? to the local heroes! And the community ! #Chicago we need you tonight! pic.twitter.com/U5yQ5rI2TE
— Daddy Yankee (@daddy_yankee) September 22, 2017
Meanwhile, Lopez's ex-husband Anthony, shared an impassioned plea to help Puerto Rico on Instagram Thursday. "Today, Puerto Rico needs your help and I'm calling on everyone to support and donate," he said, "to help Puerto Rico rebuild and come out stronger than ever."
Perez also shared on Twitter Thursday that she's "heard from some family but not all" before sharing how her fans could support local relief efforts.
TY for all for the ??! Heard from some family but not all.
— Rosie Perez (@rosieperezbklyn) September 21, 2017
??Emergencias #PuertoRico
FEMA 787-296-350
Policia:787-343/2020
Spread the word!
