Astros hosting supply drive to provide aid to Venezuela earthquake victims

HOUSTON -- Astros owner Jim Crane said Tuesday he plans to ship 80,000 pounds of relief supplies to Venezuela to help provide aid from the powerful June 24 earthquakes that devastated the nation, killing hundreds of people with thousands still missing.

The Astros Foundation will hold a supply drive from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday at Union Station to collect items that will be transported via two trucks to Miami and then flown by Crane to Venezuela on a 757 freighter cargo plane. Crane is coordinating the mission with Astros bench coach Omar López, who guided Venezuela to a World Baseball Classic championship in March.

“We try to help out when we can and this is in my strike zone,” said Crane, whose company, Crane Worldwide, is in freight and shipping.

Astros executives, players, coaches, families, mascot Orbit and the Shooting Stars dancers will support volunteers helping receive the donated items. Fans attending Friday’s game against the Rays at Daikin Park can also bring supplies that will be collected at all gates. Proceeds from Friday’s Share2Care 50/50 Raffle will also be raised in support of the Venezuela relief efforts.

Among the items that can be donated are non-perishable food items, new temporary household needs, baby diapers, wipes and bottles and hygiene products. More information on the supply drive can be found at astros.com/vzrelief.

Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players’ Association on Tuesday announced a joint financial donation of $1 million to the Red Cross to help people affected by the Venezuela earthquakes.