On December 26, 2018

Hartland volunteers unite to repair Puerto Rico storm damage

By Curt Peterson

HARTLAND — In the face of finger-pointing, local fiscal problems and political turmoil in Puerto Rico, two Hartland churches have banded together under the project title Hartland Churches United in Service, to help residents of the island repair Hurricane Maria’s September 2017 damage to their homes.

Vicki Lawrence and her husband, Jim, of Hartland are among  24 volunteers  that are headed for Puerto Rico Jan. 6- 13.

The participants were given a list of team responsibilities, including cooking, and asked to rate their skill levels from One (“Haven’t done, but willing to try”) to Five (“Perform professionally”). The skills include everything from concrete repair and framing to HVAC installation and debris removal.

The volunteers also had to complete medical history and condition forms, and obtain various immunization and booster shots.

Yuquiyu Camp and Conference Center, owned by Iglesia Evangelica Unida of Puerto Rico, will provide bunkhouse accommodations for the group, who will drive daily to various worksites in rented vans. Work days will be eight hours long, with weekends off to rest and absorb Puerto Rican culture.

The United Church of Christ Disaster Relief organization organized the trip.

Lucia Jackson, pastor of the First Congregational Church (UCC) of Hartland, said 10 of the volunteers are young adults who have been active in the Hartland Churches Youth United in Service, a cooperative program with the First Universalist Society of Hartland.

“I put out the word and all the youth slots were filled immediately,” Rev. Jackson said.

The First Universalist Society of Hartland is the other partner in Hartland Churches United in Service.

After 14 months many Puerto Ricans are still living with severe storm damage, said David Britton and his wife Birdie, who own a small bed and breakfast inn on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques.  Britton said damage on the main island was mitigated by storm-resilient reconstruction after 1989 Hurricane Hugo wiped out many frame structures.

“Almost no one built or rebuilt with wood,” Britton wrote in an email to The Mountain Times.

Although many house walls remain intact post-Maria, “Unless it was made of poured concrete, the roof today is a blue tarp. Looking down when flying in over Fajardo and Condado (east of San Juan) we saw a blue tarp for probably two of every five roofs,” Britton wrote.

Skunk Hollow Tavern in Hartland Four Corners hosted a successful fundraiser dinner for 140 people at two sittings on Dec. 9. Co-owner Carlos Ocasio, originally from the island, prepared Puerto Rican dishes, including roast pork and an island vegetarian bean dish that earned Ms. Lawrence’s rave reviews, and Ocasio’s wife, Gretchen, made coconut ice cream with real coconut shavings on top. The event netted over $2,000 to help finance the work mission.

The Lawrences volunteered to wait on tables during the first sitting.

A GoFundMe Facebook page and special donations made at the two sponsoring churches contributed significantly to achieving the group’s goal.

According to Pastor Jackson, the total raised for the mission is $10,000, half of which will be donated to agencies working on disaster relief.

“We were able to raise that entire amount easily, due to the incredible generosity of the people of Hartland,” Rev. Jackson said, adding, “What that tells me is that people want to be a part of helping in bad times.”

Do you want to submit feedback to the editor?

Send Us An Email!

Related Posts

Superstar Six-Pack construction hits new phase as helicopters fly in concrete

July 3, 2025
KILLINGTON — Construction of the new Superstar six-pack chairlift has reached an exciting phase this summer, with helicopters now flying in concrete for the tower and terminal footings. On Wednesday, July 1, a helicopter was seen flying to Killington Resort with a payload of concrete. Killington Resort is replacing its iconic Superstar Express quad with…

Local road construction plans for 4th of July week

July 2, 2025
The following is a weekly report that lists its planned construction activities that will affect traffic on state highways and interstates throughout Vermont for the week of June 30. Most construction projects will pause work for the 4th of July `Local roads in Rutland and Windsor County, include:     I-89 Royalton Construction continues Monday through…

Ribbon cuttings in Ludlow and Proctorsville highlight local business growth

July 2, 2025
A pair of ribbon cuttings on June 20 held by the Okemo Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce (OVRCC) marked a day of celebration for two local businesses and offered a boost of momentum to the region’s small business economy. In Ludlow, Aubuchon ACE Hardware unveiled its newly renovated store on Main Street with a grand…

Cirque Series celebrates successful Killington debut

July 2, 2025
By Polly Mikula The Cirque Series broke trail in New England with two new races. On June 7, runners raced up Cannon Mountain in Franconia, New Hampshire and this past Saturday, June 28, they tackled “The Beast of the East,” Killington Mountain. Cirque is also adding Crystal Mountain, Washington, to its national lineup of eight…