News

Actions

Local group raises money to benefit families in Puerto Rico

PR
Posted at 6:14 PM, Feb 24, 2018
and last updated 2018-02-24 16:23:00-05

TALLAHASSEE, FL (WTXL) -- It's been 6 months since Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico and the island is still recovering.

David Medina, Defined Software Development Owner, says, "I want to raise enough money to do 2 or 3 houses, but also send building materials so that we can build more houses."

David Medina and Gisela Rodriguez are natives to the city of Jayuya. When they went to Puerto Rico in January, they saw more than 1,000 homes damaged in the smaller towns. Families are still struggling months after Hurricane Maria rocked the island. That's why they hosted a fundraiser Saturday at Medina's company, Defined Software Development.

All donated money will be used to buy supplies that Medina and a group of volunteers will use to build and repair roofs for families in Jayuya. 6 months and 3 days. That's how long David Medina's family lived without power after Hurricane Maria. At Saturday's fundraiser everyone is enjoying authentic Puerto Rican cuisine and it's all to help families like Medina's get back on their feet.

After Hurricane Maria, Medina collected 70 thousand pounds of supplies from Tallahassee donations, delivering them door-to-door in their hometown.

It helped more than 2 thousand families. Abdiel Arce is an FSU student and native to Puerto Rico.

He's one of many volunteers who went with Medina to the island. Arce says,"They're going through so much hardship and I'm only here in school and I can't do much. But I try as much, just by showing up to the event."

Arce says some of his family members are still without power. That's why everyone here chose to spend their Saturday at this fundraiser, knowing the money spent on a plate of delicious food is helping families recover in Puerto Rico.