Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Maria Llanos | RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico (April 9, 2019) Sailors and military veterans examine the...... read more read more
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RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico – Sailors and military veterans volunteered to help restore and rebuild Campamento Elisa Colberg, a girl scouts camp, during Navy Week Puerto Rico, April 09.
Approximately 20Sailors were the first group to volunteer and help the camp along with non-profit organizations, No Barriers and The Mission Continues, who’s volunteers consist of military veterans.
The camp suffered severe damage during Hurricane Maria in 2017 and has been unable to operate since then. The hurricane affected electrical systems, trails around the camp, and damage to the building and cabins.
“There is a nearby river that flooded the dining room, we lost windows and doors” said Jeanette Cruz, government and community relations coordinator for Caribe Girl Scouts Council. “You couldn’t walk past the area where all the cabins are because it was flooded and covered by fallen trees and plants. It was so sad to see it that way.”
Sailors and veterans painted the cabins inside and out, chopped and carried branches to clear trails andmoved furniture.
“It’s an opportunity to re-invest, to continue to serve locally,” said Katelyn Sheehan, senior expedition leader for No Barriers. “I think in a lot of ways we can stand to better our relationship with Puerto Rico and for the military to lead the way in how we build those relationships is really important. This is part of our home land and we need to protect it and give our local teams the respect, support and acknowledgment that they need.”
About 50 volunteers showed up to help Campamento Elisa Colberg meet their goal to reopen in June.
“We’re blessed that the Navy showed up because we would have gotten a lot less done without them,” said Frankie Perez, platoon leader for Mission Continues. “You put your heart, effort and commitment to a cause helping the ones who need help the most. Especially places like this that teach female youths to be leaders, a better woman, a better mom, a better human being.”
The first group of girl scouts in 1952 were daughters of military members that were stationed in Puerto Rico.
“I feel so pleased and grateful that the Navy is here because we need help,” said Cruz. “It’s touching that somebody wants to help us because this camp is so important to us.”
Navy Weeks focus a variety of outreach assets, equipment and personnel on a single city for a week-long series of engagements.
During a Navy Week, 75-100 outreach events are coordinated with corporate, civic, government, education, media, veterans, community service and diversity organizations in the city.
| Date Taken: | 04.09.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 04.12.2019 17:11 |
| Story ID: | 317999 |
| Location: | RIO GRANDE, PR |
| Web Views: | 243 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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