CAP Community Support Continues at Southern Puerto Rico
By Capt Elias Roman, Public Affairs Officer, Puerto Rico Wing
GUÁNICA, PR ― On Sunday, February 9, 2020 CAP volunteers from Kingdom Cadet Squadron (PR-801) and Adler Cadet Squadron (PR-802) located at Dorado and Gurabo, respectively, contributed to the disaster relief efforts by assisting local personnel from the daily workload delivering supplies and fixing refugee tents at Guánica, Puerto Rico.
“Being there helping people you realize how fragile life is, it's not the same as seeing it in photos or on television”, said C/SMSgt Gerónimo Jr. Quiles, member of Kingdom Cadet Squadron.
As an historical fact, this is the first time that the first two and only school-based units meet together, serving communities.
Early in the morning, all personnel assembled in the CAP staging area located at Raul “Pipote” Oliveras Coliseum in Yauco. Receiving shortly a safety briefing by Lt Col Ensor Lopez, CAP Mission Safety Officer and Lt Col Carlos Arroyo, CAP Logistics Section Chief for the Puerto Rico Earthquake corporate mission.
After the sorties were planned, volunteers headed to a refugee camp in the baseball park of Santa Juanita’s community where six families were living after their homes were destroyed by the earthquake of the 7th of January.
Some cadets didn’t doubt a second to ask children in the park to play frisbee, reflecting their humble values not only as volunteers but as individuals with feelings and emotions. While distributing the supplies, cadets gave toys of soap bubble tubes to other kids. Smiles and hugs from the refugees were their gratitude.
“[It was] very gratifying to share [life experiences] for a good and just cause”, said 2d Lt Marie C. Sanchez, commander of Adler Cadet Squadron.
In second and last stop, CAP volunteers arrived at another refugee camp in a baseball park located in the community Maria Antonia, Guánica. There, supplies such as basic hygiene items and laundry soap was given to refugees, including coloring books for the children.
Due to hot weather conditions, the refugees were all outside of their tents, it was impossible to stay inside of them during the day. Cadets helped to fix some tents after strong winds had broken several of the awnings that other organizations had given to them.
In an act of empathy and selfless service, C/MSgt Kevin Y. Martinez, member of Kingdom Cadet Squadron and first place winner of the PRWG Summer Leadership Academy Patch Contest, donated his prize of $75 Vanguard Voucher to C/CMSgt Joshua Cruz of Guanica H.S. Cadet Squadron whose home was destroyed due to the earthquake.
Key personnel of Sunday’s sorties included Lt Col Carlos Arroyo, Lt Col Ensor López, Capt Hector M. Mojica, 1st Lt William Baez, 1st Lt Chrysanthi Rodríguez, and 2d Lt Marie C. Sánchez.
So far, 167 such sorties have been completed.
For More Information:
Headquarters Puerto Rico Wing
Public Affairs
publicaffairs@prwg.cap.gov
(787) 604-2863
