The association collected donations from its members with which they hope the Dominican family will recover its source of income.
PHOTO: UBA / COURTESYBy:David Ramirez Updated 30 Nov 2020, 12:36 pm EST DavidRamirezPO
NEW YORK – On November 2, a fire in the Bronx completely destroyed ‘El Tropical Bodega & Deli’. Its owner, Odalis Rodríguez, married and father of two young children, thought it was all over, his life savings invested in the business, which was the family’s livelihood, were left in ashes.
This Sunday, the American bodegueros Association (UBA) presented Rodriguez with a check for $35,000 with which Rodriguez will be able to start building his business and guarantee the stability of his family.
The solidarity action is seen as an early Christmas gift for this Dominican family, which in less than a month is already on the road to recovery.
“Our goal is to get Rodriguez back in business, to get him back on his feet so he can put food on the table for his family. UBA is a family of thousands of bodega owners that brings everyone together in a time of need. We are here to help every bodeguero who is in difficulty,” said Radhamés Rodríguez, president of UBA.
The scourge consumed much of ‘El Tropical Bodega & Deli’, located on E. Tremont Ave, in the Pelham Bay neighborhood of The Bronx.
“My gratitude to my brothers and sisters behind the counters is incredible. My family is honored by the generosity of so many who donated to my cause. It took me years of hard work to establish my business and in a few minutes I lost everything,” said Odalis Rodriguez, owner of El Tropical Bodega & Deli.
UBA spokesman Fernando Mateo said the organization was knocking on the doors of every bodega across the city collecting small donations ranging from $25 to $200.
“This is how we do it, this is how we bond with each other. We are proud of UBA, we wasted no time and in less than 30 days we raised this money.”
Mateo added that the spirit of Christmas and New Year’s celebrations are a symbol of love and joy.
“The holidays bring out the best in people and today we witnessed that love with $35,000.00 for the Rodriguez family,” noted Mateo.
