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What began as an effort to help with the medical costs of the sick daughter of a paramedic who provided service to Crowley in Puerto Rico back in 1996, has survived her death in the form of a non-profit organization focused on helping sick and disadvantaged children.
Spearheaded by Crowley’s union employees in Puerto Rico, the COPROFEM (“Comité Pro Fondos de Elizabeth Merced” or Committee For Funds for Elizabeth Merced) was incorporated, and in the past 10 years has donated more than 150 pieces of medical equipment valued at $163,897, collected more than 1,600 Christmas gifts and given over 380 pints of blood.
As the name suggests, the inspiration for this charitable outreach was Elizabeth Merced, a little girl who, in 1996, was very ill. Union employees wanted to help her fight her illness, so they formed the non-profit organization COPROFEM and began donating money directly from their paychecks to help with her medical expenses. Some 260 employees signed up to do so, and in less than a month they raised enough money to purchase the medical equipment Elizabeth needed.
One of the most memorable moments for everyone participating in COPROFEM occurred on Sept. 19, 1996 when Elizabeth made a personal visit to the Crowley facilities. Later that year, thanks to COPROFEM’s efforts, the Make-A-Wish foundation made possible Elizabeth’s dream to travel with her parents and brothers to Disney World. Sadly, on June 27, 1997 Elizabeth passed away.
Rather than disband COPROFEM, the participating members decided to continue working to help other children in Elizabeth’s name, renaming the organization “La Fundación Elizabeth Merced” or the Elizabeth Merced Foundation. Their objective was, and remains today, to help children with serious health conditions and limited economic resources, either directly or through another assistance entity.
In September 1997, the foundation began sponsoring the Spina Bifida & Hydrocephaly Association of Puerto Rico, and in particular a young boy named Edwin Omar Cruz-Chévere, for whom they assisted with all his medical expenses until his death. They subsequently began sponsoring a two-year-old girl named Nashlimar Vega-Mendoza.
The group also established a special annual $5,000 emergency fund, which could be used to directly help the children of Crowley’s union, administrative, paramedical and security personnel.
In December 1997, employees started a new campaign called “Sponsor a Child on Christmas.” With this program Crowley employees donate gifts that children and teenagers belonging to the Spina Bifida Association would like to receive in order to have a merry Christmas. This is now a Crowley tradition.
In addition to its continuous collaboration with the Spina Bifida Association, the foundation has participated in other initiatives during the past 10 years. Blood drives are held twice a year with the Puerto Rico Red Cross, and since 2005, blood drives have been held every July for the Servicios Mutuos Blood Bank. Through each of these drives, Crowley employees donate more than 30 pints of blood, which has given Crowley employees, family members and relatives the opportunity to obtain blood free of charge should they ever have an emergency need.
The organization is now 10 years old and still going strong thanks to the generosity of Crowley’s Puerto Rico employees and a brave and inspirational girl named Elizabeth.
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