P.R. Disaster Relief Re-Deployment

On Wednesday, September 20, Hurricane Maria (a powerful Category 4 hurricane with 150 mph winds) made direct landfall on Puerto Rico, wreaking havoc on the entire island. What’s happened since has been truly catastrophic for Puerto Rico.  Almost two months after the storm, there’s still little power on the island. In many places, there’s still no water to drink or bathe in or to flush toilets. There’s limited food and cell service, and dozens of remote villages have been completely cut off from everything for weeks. There are significant health concerns about the water shortages on the island — among them that people are drinking from contaminated streams and other sources. I know these facts are true because I just spent three weeks in October volunteering with Crisis Response International (CRI) in Puerto Rico and saw firsthand the devastation.

In December, I will redeploy with CRI to continue offering aid to those in need by distributing relief supplies, helping remove debris, tarping roofs, handing out meals, and offering emotional and spiritual support. As a volunteer, I have to cover all of my own expenses. Funds raised will be used to pay for my transportation there and back, food/lodging/transportation while there, water filtration systems, solar lights, food and hygiene supplies to donate to the locals (their grocery store shelves are still bare and drinking water is difficult to find), and other items such as tools necessary for repairing houses/roofs and removing debris. Any donations above these expenses I will donate directly to CRI and fellow responders to enable them to also help hurricane victims in Puerto Rico.

Your support will enable me to get my "boots on the ground" as soon as possible so that I may offer assistance to the many who have lost everything and need a helping hand. Thank you in advance for your donation. God bless you.