Pittsburgh Pirates

Pirates held collection, will fly to Puerto Rico to distribute donation items

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates organized a collection relief outside PNC park for the hurricane victims in Puerto Rico.

"If we flew a plane down there filled with supplies we can get to areas we know aren't being reached in the first wave that's going to Puerto Rico,” Frank Coonelly, of the Pirates, said.

Pittsburghers came out in droves and opened their hearts and wallets donating bottled water, first aid supplies, diapers, baby food, paper products and much more.

Nancy Santana, a woman who was dropping off her donations, decided to stay.

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"In the interim, we thought why can't we volunteer our time. And that's why we decided to volunteer our time for the next couple of hours,” Santana said.

According to the Pirates, they are, "truly living the legacy of Roberto Clemente."

The Hall of Famer died in a plane crash while delivering relief supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

Pirates players, coaches and front office workers will fly to Puerto Rico to distribute the items later this week.