Lawmaker urges support for NGOs during the holiday season

By THE STAR STAFF

Rep. Estrella Martínez Soto (District 27 of Coamo, Santa Isabel, Aibonito, Juana Díaz and Salinas) urged all residents of her district to support non-profit organizations (NGOs) in the district during this holiday season.

“There are numerous non-profit organizations dedicated to providing support and services to the community,” the legislator said. “Their main objective is to help the most vulnerable sectors and foster social, educational, athletic, and economic development. They are grassroots and secular organizations. It’s a good idea that this holiday season we make an effort to support them. By strengthening them, we strengthen our community.”

Martinez Soto offered a directory where citizens can find more information and select the NGO that best suits their interests: https://www.prteconline.com/files/1013/5534/4893/Directorio_Oorganizaciones_Sin_fines_de_Lucro.pdf. By definition, these are entities, incorporated or unincorporated, are dedicated to providing services that, under a legal provision, qualify for an income tax exemption.

“A 2022 publication by Estudios Técnicos for the organization Philanthropy Puerto Rico indicates that nearly 700,000 people in Puerto Rico are served annually by NGOs. That is, one in five people in the country,” Martínez Soto said in the statement. “41.3% of these entities’ income comes from individual donations, 25.9% from self-sustaining programs or services, and 22.1% from fundraising activities. 16.7% comes from local, state, and municipal grants.”

“Non-profit organizations are vital to our communities, and I reiterate my call to support them, whether financially or through volunteer work, which is also greatly appreciated,” the lawmaker said. “It is the best way to fulfill the mission of generosity toward our fellow human beings.”