- February 7, 2025
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Volusia County Schools have been rallying together to collect money for the people of Puerto Rico after Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria hit the island.
From Monday, Oct. 2 through Friday, Oct. 13, students, parents and staff have been contributing to the school district’s initiative, United for Puerto Rico Relief Effort. The district asked for contributions of $1.
The total, which is in the process of being collected, will be given to the United for Puerto Rico organization. The organization was created by the governor’s wife, Beatriz Rosselló, in collaboration with the private sector.
District officials hope to raise more than $70,000.
Residents have been spreading the word and sharing their fundraising efforts on Twitter using the hashtag #VCStogetherwecan.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, more than 20,000 federal civilian personnel and military service members are on the ground in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands helping with relief efforts after Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Irma.
As of Sunday, Oct. 15, FEMA estimated there would be 10 million liters of bottled water and 18 million shelf-stable meals arriving in Puerto Rico throughout the following week. According to a FEMA update, more than 140,000 homes in Puerto Rico are in need of some kind of repair after the hurricane.
The school district previously provided aid to disaster-affected areas, including Indonesia and Haiti. Nearly $39,000 was collected for the Haiti Earthquake Relief Effort.
When Hurricane Harvey hit Texas and Louisiana, the district was able to raise $700 to give to the American Red Cross.
When a tsunami barreled across the Indian Ocean in late December of 2014, and Hurricane Katrina caused widespread devastation in August 2005, the district was able to collect almost $60,000 for the United Nations Children’s Fund. Additionally, $117,000 was collected and matched by an anonymous donor with the total being sent to the American Red Cross for the victims of New Orleans.
For more information on United for Puerto Rico, visit UnitedforPuertoRico.com.
