After days of uncertainty, Bastos said she was overcome with relief when she learned her missing uncle, who is elderly and blind, had been found safe following the earthquakes.
"Wow, how incredible, how beautiful," Bastos said after receiving the news.
The Fresno resident said the disaster has left her exhausted and worried, even thousands of miles away.
"Days without sleep" and living in agony gave way to a glimmer of hope, she said, but she felt compelled to help those affected by the disaster.
"I want to be there, but I am not there. I'm doing this because I know one of the pampers that are here is going to one of the kids that are over there right now fighting for their life," Bastos said.
Hours after the deadly earthquakes struck Venezuela, Bastos began accepting donations from her home. Community members brought diapers, canned food, and hygiene products to support those impacted by the disaster.
As donations quickly filled her living room, the collection effort was moved to a larger facility at St. James Episcopal Cathedral.
According to Bastos, the donated items will be transported to the Florida headquarters of Global Empowerment Mission, a nonprofit organization that will deliver the supplies directly to people in Venezuela.
"I'm going to put my tears in action. This is the action," Bastos said.
For volunteer Deyanira Castro, the tragedy is deeply personal. Castro said she took time off work to assist with the donation drive after learning that three of her cousins had died.
"Awful, since the moment the earthquakes started, we've been in agony. We haven't slept thinking about our family," Castro said.
Outside the church, a Venezuelan flag hangs at the gates as volunteers and community members continue collecting supplies for those affected by the earthquakes.
Despite their grief, volunteers said the effort has become a way to support loved ones and provide help to people in need.
"I want to cry, but it's so difficult to contain. Thank you so much in advance to all of our community. My neighbors and everybody, thank you so much," Bastos said.
You can drop off goods at the church from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. or at Basto's house from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., located at 4678 N Safford Ave near Old Fig Garden.
Right now, they are not accepting clothes.
If you'd like to donate money, you can head to the nonprofit's website: Disaster Relief Organization, Global Empowerment Mission
If you are missing a loved one, the Red Cross offers assistance to find them: International Reconnecting Families Inquiry Form
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