The effort to rebuild lives in Puerto Rico just got a little easier.

Three organizations who are providing relief services to the residents of the Hurricane Maria-battered island were presented with checks Thursday by the New Jersey for Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief organization.

The donations totaled $80,000 -- $20,000 to the American Red Cross and $30,000 each to the Salvation Army New Jersey Division and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Puerto Rico.

The ceremony, attended by many local and state elected officials, was held at the Liberty House Restaurant in Jersey City. The money was raised with donations from $5 to $30,000 pledged through NJ4PR.org.

Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, was struck by Hurrican Maria five weeks ago, yet power has not been restored yet to most of the island.