Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Las Vegas event to raise money for Mexico earthquake victims

Mexico Earthquake

Onlookers applaud as people raise a Mexican flag marked with the words “Mexico is on its feet,” at the site of a collapsed apartment building in the Lindavista neighborhood of Mexico City, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017. People by the millions rushed from homes and offices across central Mexico, after a 7.1 earthquake, sometimes watching as buildings they had just fled fell behind them with an eruption of dust and debris. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

As the toll from the devastation of the powerful earthquake that rocked Mexico this week becomes clearer, Las Vegas-area groups have organized a fundraising event, with proceeds being funneled to those affected through the Mexican Red Cross.

The United for Mexico event on Sunday will feature musical and artistic performances, as well as food and beverages at Mariana’s Supermarket, 3631 W. Sahara Ave., near Valley View Boulevard, according to the Mariana’s Charity Foundation, which is headed by the Anaya family, owners of the store chain.

As of Thursday, two days after the 7.1 quake impacted several central Mexican cities, 273 people had died, including 137 in the country’s capital. Thousands were injured and dozens remain missing.

The Las Vegas event, organized in conjunction with the local chapter of the Latin Chamber of Commerce, is hoping to attract more than 3,000 people, organizers said in a news release.

Funds raised by the sale of refreshments at the event, which will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., will go directly to the Mexican Red Cross. Checks and cash also will be accepted on behalf of the humanitarian organization.