Portland investors help send earthquake relief to Colombia

Better Off Home Buyers and Portland-area investors raised $4,650 and delivered about 750 pounds of supplies to communities hit by a 7.4-magnitude earthquake in Colombia. The aid reached affected areas including Chocó, Circasia and Quimbaya after a local collection and distribution effort in Bogotá.

Why it matters: - The effort turned a local investor network in Portland into direct support for earthquake-hit communities in Colombia. - The relief shipment included basic food and hygiene items needed for immediate recovery. - Better Off Home Buyers said the project reflects its service-focused approach and its broader community footprint.

What happened: - Scott Dalinger, owner and founder of Portland-based Better Off Home Buyers, was in Bogotá on Aug. 10 when a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Colombia. - Dalinger said the quake was strong enough that he felt shaking for minutes while still hundreds of miles from the epicenter. - Dalinger and his family, along with Portland friends and business associates, raised a total of $4,650. - Better Off Home Buyers and its supporters delivered about 750 pounds of relief supplies to earthquake-affected communities.

The details: - Colombia’s UNGRD estimated 466,345 people were affected, with 4,505 injured, 101 missing and 331 fatalities. - UNGRD also estimated 36,327 homes were destroyed, 201,939 homes were severely damaged and 759 buildings collapsed. - Dalinger saw Bogotá become a hub for collecting and moving aid after the quake. - Dalinger and his business partner Dylan Hallett decided to buy food and personal care items, which they identified as the most needed goods. - Portland investors sent money through Venmo and Zelle after Dalinger reached out for help. - Better Off Home Buyers teamed up with Gimnasio de los Cerros and Misión INALDE of INALDE Business School at Universidad de la Sabana to get aid to impacted communities. - Dalinger said the relief model followed Gobble Gobble Give, the company’s Portland Thanksgiving drive, where investors buy food directly instead of donating cash. - Dalinger, his wife and children shopped for the supplies, filled several vehicles and made multiple trips to deliver them to Gimnasio de los Cerros. - Volunteers then moved the aid to Universidad de la Sabana, where it was loaded into box trucks for delivery to affected regions. - The aid reached Chocó and the municipalities of Circasia and Quimbaya. - The supply list included rice, beans, bread, panela, spaghetti, salt, baby food, pots for cooking, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, adult diapers, toilet paper, baby diapers, baby wipes, toothpaste, toothbrushes, rubbing alcohol, soap, shampoo and conditioner. - Better Off Home Buyers was founded in 2018 and is BBB-accredited with an A+ rating. - The company buys homes for cash in Oregon and Southwest Washington.

Between the lines: - The response shows how a small group of investors can move quickly when relief efforts use direct purchasing and a trusted distribution chain. - The local partnerships in Colombia reduced the chance that donated goods would sit idle or miss the hardest-hit areas. - The project also extends the company’s service branding beyond real estate into disaster response and community aid.

What's next: - Better Off Home Buyers said it remains committed to serving the communities where it works and lives. - High-resolution photos of the relief effort are available upon request. - The company continues its core home-buying business across Oregon and Southwest Washington. - More information is available through the company’s social media pages, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.