Gov. Cuomo teamed up with some high-profile celebrities Sunday to bring attention to the devastation in Puerto Rico.
Jennifer Lopez and Mets pitcher Seth Lugo joined Cuomo at the Javits Center in Manhattan to announce several new partnerships designed to bring relief to the island nation.
"My cousin and I and our family still haven't been able to hear from all our family over there, and we are concerned for them and for everyone on the island," said Lopez, who is from the Bronx.
Cuomo renewed his pressure on the federal government, saying Washington needs to put politics aside and help the 3.5 million people left without power in the U.S. territory.
"This is going to be a long, hard road for Puerto Rico, and this is a situation that's going to require billions of dollars in assistance, and real capacity provided to the island, and that's going to have to be done by the federal government," Cuomo said at the news conference.
The governor announced several private partnerships, including one with JetBlue, which is donating $1 million in services to bring goods to the island. The teachers' union will also collect and distribute school supplies for students.
The Mets announced they would collect donations at upcoming games, and the Yankees said they are also pitching in to help.
The governor flew to Puerto Rico on Friday to see first-hand the damage that Hurricane Maria caused.