More than 30 middle
and high school students from Orlando youth programs will spend spring break helping children in some of the hardest-hit areas of Puerto Rico.
In the months after Hurricane Maria, Orlando first responders traveled to Puerto Rico to assist the island in its hour of need. Now, Orlando students will follow in their footsteps.
More than 30 middle and high students from Orlando youth programs are heading to Puerto Rico during their spring break next week to do what they can to help with recovery efforts.
“You are in for an experience,” said Orlando Deputy Chief Orlando Rolon, a native of Puerto Rico, at a sendoff event Friday at the Families, Parks and Recreation building.
“It is a beautiful island, and when we went, we actually went there to provide law enforcement services,” he said. “But the most rewarding part of all was when we had an opportunity to actually help with the distribution of water and food. … It’s something you’re never, ever, ever going to forget.”
The students will be delivering backpacks filled with school supplies and books to schools, delivering supplies and donations to an orphanage, organizing field day events for children in some of the hardest-hit areas and helping repaint a school, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer’s office said.
“I’m always so appreciative when people from Orlando pay it forward for us and go help other people that are in need,” he told students. “The Orlando Utilities Commission sent power people to Puerto Rico about three or four months ago to help restore some power … They had a great experience there, and I know you guys are going to have a great experience as well.”
The students shook hands with Dyer and received Tshirts with the Puerto Rican flag before gathering to take a group picture.
“I know that Puerto Rico is really in a bad, bad, bad situation right now, with a lot of places with no electricity, no food, for [six] months now,’’ said Ty Berry-Keneard, a 15-year-old student at Jones High School. “We want to help all those people.”
Madison Dent, a 12-year-old student at Howard Middle School, said she was in Puerto Rico last year before the storm, “and I learned so much about the culture. … It was very emotional to see [the aftermath], because I could be in that predicament. I don’t know what I would do, losing family members and not being able to contact them, that’s just heartbreaking.
“When I get down there, I hope to benefit some kids to show them what it means to help others,” she said. “So when they grow up to be my age, they’ll do the same.’’