By Karen Yi | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

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Abi de la Paz de la Cruz, 3, holds a gas can as she waits in line with her family, to get fuel from a gas station, in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Monday, Sept. 25, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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NEWARK - They each shared stories of a family member they hadn't heard from, a relative who lost property or drove 40 minutes to find a small pocket of cell phone reception.

For the city of Newark, Hurricane Maria's devastation on Puerto Rico was personal. On Monday, Newark's elected leaders joined forces with community organizations and the American Red Cross promising to help rebuild the island and its people.

"There's a lot of anxiousness around where our family members and friends are," North Ward Councilman Anibal Ramos said, adding that he had not been able to speak to two of his uncles on the island. "The city of Newark has the largest representation of Puerto Ricans in the entire state of New Jersey. We're together in times of crisis, we're together when it matters. We're going to be together to ensure that Puerto Rico gets the support it needs."

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Nearly one week after hurricane Maria devastated the island of Puerto Rico, residents are still trying to get the basics of food, water, gas, and money from banks. Much of the damage done was to electrical wires, fallen trees, and flattened vegetation, in addition to home wooden roofs torn off. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

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Two back-to-back events will be held in Newark next weekend to raise funds and collect donations for Puerto Rico.

On Oct. 7, there will be a benefit concert from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 870 Mount Prospect Ave. On Oct. 8, the city will host a fundraiser with the American Red Cross from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Flamboyan Manor at 147 Verona Avenue. The goal is to raise $100,000.

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"When one of us hurt, all of us hurt," Mayor Ras Baraka said during Monday's press conference at City Hall to announce the collaboration. "It is our duty, our responsibility, our job to make sure that our family, our neighbors, our city is OK."

Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr., Sen. Teresa Ruiz, D-Essex, and Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura also addressed the crowd of community groups and supporters.

"Newark, Essex County and the state of New Jersey stand alongside every single pueblo, every single family that's lost their home, every singe school that may be closed," Ruiz said. "When one community bleeds, we all bleed and when one person needs to rise, we all rise behind him."

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Hundreds of San Juan residents have taken shelter at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017, until Hurricane Maria passes. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

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Hurricane Maria to brush N.C. coast before sharp turn out to sea

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After five hours in line, we got gas. Good thing because they close at 6:30 and the curfew begins at 7. pic.twitter.com/B1GjxUwEJ5 — Justin E. Auciello (@auciello) September 25, 2017

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Schools Superintendent Christopher Cerf announced all 64 public schools would serve as clothing drop-off centers.

"This is part of education, we want our students to feel that they are part of a world community," he said.

The city's firehouses and police precinct will also serve as donation drop-off centers.

"Rest assured that resources will go directly to hurricane relief efforts," Baraka said.

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A damaged home is seen as people deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Maria on September 25, 2017 in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico. Maria left widespread damage across Puerto Rico, with virtually the whole island without power or cell service. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

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Hurricane Maria wiped out power to the entire island of 3.5 million people. Power is not expected to be restored for months. The storm ripped off roofs, brought torrents of rain and flooding and cut off communication to most parts of the island. Recovery is just beginning.

"Whether we agree or disagree with each other, we are coming together because it is important," said Councilman-At-Large Luis Quintana, who had an aunt evacuated from her home and a sister whom he struggled to communicate with in the wake of the storm.

For more information on Saturday's benefit concert call 973-991-4508. Suggested donations include: toiletries, medical supplies, food and water supplies and baby and senior-specific items. Checks can be made to La Liga Roberto Clemente specifying the donation is for the Hurricane Maria Relief Fund.

At Sunday's fundraiser, all checks can be made payable to American Red Cross/Hurricane Maria/Puerto Rico.

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Jose Garcia Vicente walks through rubble of his destroyed home, in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, in Aibonito, Puerto Rico, Monday, Sept. 25, 2017. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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In this Sept. 24, 2017, photo, National Guard Soldiers arrive at Barrio Obrero in Santurce to distribute water and food among those affected by the passage of Hurricane Maria, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Federal aid is racing to stem a growing humanitarian crisis in towns left without fresh water, fuel, electricity or phone service by the hurricane. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti)

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Karen Yi may be reached at kyi@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @karen_yi or on Facebook.