Portland Thorns forward Deyna Castellanos is coordinating relief efforts in Oregon after back-to-back earthquakes devastated her home country of Venezuela.
The three-year NWSL veteran spent the hours after the disaster sharing missing persons reports, shelter locations, and donation links across her social media accounts, using her reach to connect families separated by the destruction.
Thorns Star Deyna Castellanos Uses Platform for Earthquake Aid
From there, Castellanos partnered with Portland restaurant La Arepa to host a donation drive collecting essential supplies for affected communities. The Venezuelan soccer player said her platform carries a unique responsibility when information inside the country faces heavy restrictions.
"Being far away from home right now, but having my family there, the only way that we can help right now is doing these kind of activities and trying to collect the most supplies that we can," Castellanos said.
"I think I have this power of gathering a lot of people through my social media. Sometimes the stuff that happens in Venezuela, the information doesn't get out of there. By sharing information, it was a big help and it was the fastest thing that I could do."
Her Portland Thorns teammates responded immediately, filling her car with donated goods after just one day's notice. Still, Castellanos said basic medicine and humanitarian aid remain the most urgent needs given Venezuela's strained healthcare system.
Those looking to contribute can visit Venezuela's Voice In Oregon or its GoFundMe page.
