Hurricane Fiona swept the Caribbean this past september, 3 clubs took action in response.
On this year's hurricane season disaster radar I present to you; Hurricane Fiona. A category 4 storm that swept through the Caribbean and parts of eastern Canada in late September. The storm caused major power outages, massive flash floods and mudslides. 17 total casualties have been reported due to the storm, along with many others suffering from injuries. According to Reuters more than 12,500 people have been displaced in this one storm so far. These massive hurricanes and tropical storms leave countries and communities scrambling, leaving thousands without access to running water and electricity (among other basic necessities). One of the countries hit; Puerto Rico, was still rebuilding their power grid and recovering from 2017s devastating hurricane Maria.
How does this connect to us? Well being located in New York city, one of the largest and most diverse cities in the US. Our school and local community has faced great challenges in the aftermath of these storms. Many of us have family and friends on the islands and countries being hit by storm after storm every year. Puerto Ricans along with other victims seek refuge on the US mainland, and come to cities like New York to find new homes. This has sparked initiatives in cities like ours in response to, and in support of the disasters and the people who are left behind.
One such organization is Diaspora X Puerto Rico, a New York City based non-profit organization “Aims to develop the power of the Puerto Rican community and the organizations that serve them in New York and across the United States…Promote the wellbeing, self-sufficiency, and empowerment of the Puerto Rican community, through access to information about services, organizations, events, and contacts with the intention to create a support network”. Diaspora is currently leading efforts in PR and in the US to help those being affected by Fiona. Through their go-fund me, direct donation and hurricane supply drive they have been able to support families and communities of the group who have been displaced due to these yearly storms.
In the wake of this year's hurricane season Volunteer club in collaboration with LSU (LatinX Student Union) and Baking club took the initiative to create change. I spoke to the co-president of Volunteer Club, Marissa Proenza and this is what she had to say “After hearing the news of the immense damage from Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico, I felt the responsibility to take action, being from and currently having family on the island (Puerto Rico). With our privileged community at Léman, I knew we would be able to help in some way during this time of crisis.” In partnership with Diaspora X Puerto Rico, these clubs sponsored a down day. They were able to collect over $900 which will be going directly to Hurricane Fiona relief efforts led by DXPR. Marissa also commented “I hope with the success of our dress down day, other students will feel inspired to bring issues they care about to the table to work towards awareness in our community. Students of any age have the ability to prompt change and take initiative”.
Inspired by the great success of the dress down day, Baking Club got to host this year's first bake sale. I spoke to Baking Clubs co-president Raveena and she said “With this bake sale we hope to help rebuild communities in Puerto Rico who were affected by Hurricane Fiona. Raising money for a good charitable cause through a bake sale also helped introduce the leman community to the baking club and a little bit of what we do ''. The bake sale had great success, selling during all three lunches and after school, raising more than $250 which will all be going to Diaspora!
Additionally I asked both co-presidents on their thoughts on awareness, how us the Leman community can educate ourselves on current events. Marissa mentioned how “Resources are constantly shared via email, Bullhorn articles, and social media in regards to different issues and crises occurring within our international community. It is vital to take time to research and make yourself aware of what is going on in the world around you and find ways that you can help”. Raveena gave some great ideas on how to implement in our school to spread awareness “Our community could educate ourselves more on how to support other communities by having more assemblies on causes such as Hurricane Fiona relief programs, or advocate for the cause outside school simply by talking to friends, family, neighbors etc… There are so many different ways an individual at Leman/ the Leman community as a whole can truly raise awareness for this or any important cause”.
So far our community has been able to achieve tremendous success in our collective fundraising efforts (headed by Volunteer Club X LSU and Baking Club) in support of those who need it the most this hurricane season. Showing how one small idea like a dress down day or a bake sale can inspire a whole community, our community, to rally behind the same cause.