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Coloradans come together to help Navajo Nation in New Mexico

Posted at 10:47 AM, May 02, 2020
and last updated 2020-12-31 12:19:23-05

DENVER — The last few days have been anything but calm at Lucas Garcia’s home since he put out a call for donations to lend a hand to the Navajo Nation.

Garcia has been picking up goods from porches and people have been driving by unpacking vehicles loaded with goods. The outpour of support flooded Garcia’s yard.

“We have Navajo in our blood and so we wanted to go and help our people down there,” Garcia said.

Garcia partnered up with Lynn Charley and her 12-year-old daughter Jaden Ramon, also known as Jojocakes. The two live in Tinian, New Mexico, Eastern Agency of Navajo Nation. They will help distribute the good to communities in need.

So far, COVID-19 has killed 71 people in the Navajo Nation and more than 2,000 have tested positive for the virus.

Charley knows the pain of the pandemic. She lost two cousins to the virus who live off the reservation. She says while supplies are being delivered it's taking longer to get to the east part of the reservation.

“It’s pretty rough, it’s getting worse,” Charley.

“The death and the sickness own there has been really heartbreaking,” Garcia said.

Rachel Welch unpacked her car. She said her neighbor told her about Garcia’s Facebook post and together, they gathered donations and packed three vehicles.

“We just want them to know that we love them and that we are thinking about them,” Welch said.

“We have had people donate around 700 masks,” Garcia said.

The Salvation Army and several other organizations stepped in to help.

Garcia said he planned to pack up his pick-up truck and his camper, but they quickly filled up and cash donations flowed in to help rent a 26-foot moving truck to make sure the supplies arrive.

“This is our trailer of hope and hopefully it will be able to help a lot of people,” Garcia said.

Garcia plans to leave Saturday morning to New Mexico.