Latino fundraiser Sunday to aid hurricane victims in El Salvador

A group of Latino merchants and entertainers is organizing a music, food and soccer event tomorrow to raise money for victims of Hurricane Ida in El Salvador.

Mudslides and flooding nearly two weeks ago left about 200 dead and 15,000 displaced. Ida's remnants dumped several inches of rain in the Richmond area last week, too.

"The people need our help," said Demetrio Flores, one of the organizers. "We are asking the local people to give their economic support."

The local group is joining Salvadoran organizations across the country to raise money to help the victims. Groups in the Washington area have contributed $51,000 from fundraisers last weekend.

The event at Manchester Middle School's athletic facilities will start around 10 a.m. with a scrimmage, where willing players will be asked to donate $10 to play. A Copa Libertadores soccer league semifinal match will follow. Entrance fee to the event will be $2. Local groups and artists will be performing, and food will be sold.

Radio Poder, a local Christian Spanish-language station, will be conducting a radiothon from Manchester.

Collection boxes were distributed to Hispanic businesses in the area this week.

"People are responding," said Armando Benitez, owner of two Arco Iris Latino markets in Richmond and Henrico County and an event organizer. "A lot of people there lost everything. They're sick and need our help."

Organizers hope to deliver donations in the following week to affected families. In the event of rain, the event will be canceled.

Contact Juan Antonio Lizama at (804) 649-6513 or .