Local Volunteers Help Rebuild A Home In Puerto Rico

A group of nine local volunteers affiliated with Congregation Hakafa in Winnetka, recently teamed up with volunteers in Vermont to do what few people have done -- start rebuilding homes on the west side of the island in Puerto Rico. After the Category 4 hurricane with 150 mph winds, the land is still devastated, affecting 3.4 million U.S. citizens. Over 100,000 were destroyed, and many remote villages have still been cut off without electrical power, water, and limited phone and cell service.

Motivated by concerns from relatives in Puerto Rico, Jim Goodine, an experienced building contractor in Bennington, Vermont, and a regular volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, got connected with Congregation Hakafa, a Reform congregation in Winnetka/Glencoe, known for its history of social justice and humanitarian activism.

On the week of March 18th, 2018, Rabbi Bruce Elder (H.P), along with Ellen Criz (HP), Sally Nador (Wilmette), Lisa & Jeff Rosenberg and their daughter, Ilana (Wilmette), Marty Barber (Chicago), Michael McCullough (Buffalo Grove) and Richard Dresser (Deerfield), met up with Goodine’s fourteen volunteers – spanning the ages from 19 – mid-70’s.

Reaching out to his local Habitat affiliate, Goodine raised just over $15,000. Every penny was needed. Goodine finally established a pathway to Somebody Cares of Puerto Rico in Anasco, a satellite affiliate of Somebody Cares International, a faith based organization in Houston.

“These types of projects are a solid group effort,” reflects Goodine, “and every link in the chain creates the pull… my role was no more important than the floor sweepers, water carriers, or the school kids who supported us with cookie sales… Tons of material had to find its way up to roof level, and an equal amount of trash had to be brought down and sorted into piles for the dump and recycling. We went through 980 pounds of water in one week!”

Working in the small town of Las Marias, where roofs are covered with blue tarps or leaky plywood and families are huddled together in limited dry spaces, the volunteers were referred to a middle-class family who runs a candy factory on their property. A family member works as the assistant to the town’s mayor.

As Rabbi Elder reflected in a congregational essay, “If they cannot get help, how can those who are much worse off expect the assistance they so urgently need?”

“While our work was unskilled,” said Jeff Rosenberg, “we realized that with us there to do the schlepping, they (Goodine’s group) had time to focus on the building. It’s gratifying to make a real difference, even if it’s just for one or two families.”

Sally Nador, who volunteered on past trips, explained how they worked together to rebuild a roof. “We had a relay going to get the old tin roof off, and then put it in piles. People would lower damaged tin off the roof. Ellen Criz, who was there with me, decided to remove nails from old boards that had been pulled off. Someone would reuse that wood later. Then, I and the others repainted the face of the house, because we could.”

Ellen Criz added, “When an opportunity like this arises again, you should put away any doubts and just do it. It was a meaningful experience.”

“They insisted on cooking breakfast and lunch for our 24-person crew,” Elder recalled. “They sat and talked with us. Their 7-year-old child adopted us…wanting to help us where he could.”

On the day of departure, the Puerto Rican family presented the volunteers with a gift of candies from their factory and a note of gratitude.

“Last year was very difficult for us. We lost loved ones and our house. There were months of uncertainty, hopelessness and pain. We did not understand the reason of what was happening. But everything has a reason in life.

We prayed to God, asking for wisdom and to help us since we had no idea how to start again… We ask God for help and he sent you… people who did not know us, but taught us what is it to give without expecting anything in return... We do not have much to give you, just our gratitude. We will never forget you.”

To rebuild homes for the future, complete water filtration systems and pay for construction materials in Puerto Rico, please send donations to the 501-c3 nonprofit, “Stronger Than Corp, Maria, Attn.: Myriam Lorenzo. Email: info@wearestrongerthan.org, or call: 540-907-1940.

Dedicated to the Jewish ideals of justice, worship and study, Congregation Hakafa, based in both Glencoe and Winnetka, embodies its message of, “an encirclement of friendship.” In addition to its weekly Shabbat services, Sunday School and educational programs, over the last twenty years, Hakafa’s social service program has branched out to address myriad needs – soup kitchens, women’s shelters, medical supplies, immigrant rights, and housing discrimination, among others– both locally and globally. To learn more, visit: www.hakafa.org. Or call: 847-242-0687.