Royler requests help for victims in Rio. Photo: Personal archive.
The tragedy that struck the mountain region of Rio de Janeiro state – at the moment of publication – is reported to have caused a total of 520 dead. Among the victims are family members of well-known Jiu-Jitsu black belts Pablo Popovitch and Felipe Vidal, as well as the situation recounted by MMA manager Alex Davis, as reported on GRACIEMAG.com.
The Gracie family maintains a ranch in the region, on the road linking the cities of Teresópolis and Itaipava. Up there all is well, though, as a concerned Royler Gracie explains, requesting solidarity at this trying time.
“The ranch is right in front of a river, but this time, thank God, all is well. My mother lives in Teresópolis, but all is fine there too. I’m planning some efforts to help out. We will collect food and clothing here at the academy and I set aside some things of my own to donate. This is a time when we all should join in,” he says.
And the fight community is gathering to help the victims. The Nogueira brothers, Minotauro and Minotouro, for example, are taking donations for the victims at their training center, but there are a number of ways to help out.
Find out how to help:
Petrópolis
Three posts were set up to receive donations of water, mattresses, and cleaning and personal hygiene items in the Itaipava region: Wesleyana Church in Cuiabá Valley, Santa Luzia Church on Estrada das Arcas road, and in downtown Petrópolis, at the Secretaria do Trabalho, Ação Social e Cidadania headquarters (R. Aureliano Coutinho, 81)
Military Police
All the Military Police battalions in Rio de Janeiro will receive donations starting on Thursday (13). The commanders of the battalions recommend donating mineral water, non-perishable foods, and personal hygiene items.
Bus station
Novo Rio bus station will receive donations for the Red Cross. Donations will be received on the lower embarkation floor from 9 am to 5 pm.
Viva Rio
The Viva Rio Volunteed program started a drive to collect clothing and maintenance supplies for the Rio de Janeiro mountain region, especially Nova Friburgo, Teresópolis, and Petrópolis. To help, one can make their donations at Viva Rio headquarters (Rua do Russel, 76, Gloria) or by bank deposit to the Viva Rio bank account, Banco do Brasil, agency 1789-8, account 411396-9 and CNPJ: 00343941/0001-28 .
Supermarkets and roadways
Pão de Açucar set up collection points in all one hundred of the supermarkets in the group’s network in the state of Rio. Donations can be made at the establishments Pão de Açucar, ABC Compre Bem, Sendas, Extra Supermercados and Assaí. According to the group, donations will be delivered by January 26.
Starting Wednesday, the Federal highway police set up four posts for donations of food and personal hygiene products. They are: BR-116; the Rio-Magé toll booth, and BR-101, at Casimiro de Abreu.
Two more posts, on the Rio-Petrópolis road and Presidente Dutra highways, will function from 8 am to 5 pm. The highway police report that donations will be delivered to the Red Cross, which will distribute them to the victims.
Subway stations
On Friday, Metrô Rio subway system will open collection posts at eleven stations on lines 1 and 2. Water, food, and personal hygiene products can be donated at Carioca, Central, Largo do Machado, Catete, Glória, Ipanema/General Osório, Pavuna, Saens Peña, Botafogo, Nova América/Del Castilho and Siqueira Campos subway stations.
The shopping malls around Rio are also collecting donations:
Bangu Shopping – Rua Fonseca, 240 – Bangu. Tel.: 2430-5130.
Carioca Shopping – Av. Vicente de Carvalho, 909 – Vila da Penha. Tel.: 2430-5120.
Caxias Shopping – Rodovia Washington Luiz, 2895, Duque de Caxias. Tel: 2430-5110
Passeio Shopping – Rua Viúva Dantas 100 – Campo Grande. Tel.: 2414-0003.
Santa Cruz Shopping – Rua Felipe Cardoso 540 – Santa Cruz. Tel.: 2418-9400.
Shopping Grande Rio – Rodovia Presidente Dutra, 4.200 – São João de Meriti. Tel.: 2430-5111
Via Parque Shopping – Av. Ayrton Senna, 3.000 – Barra da Tijuca. Tel.: 2430-5100.
Shopping Leblon – Av. Afrânio de Melo Franco, 290 – Leblon. Tel.: 2430-5122.