Teens To Hold Fundraiser For Puerto Rico In Dobbs Ferry

DOBBS FERRY, NY — Local teens are hosting a fundraiser for hurricane-devastated Puerto Rico to help families purchase mattresses and rebuilding materials. The Teen Benefit for Puerto Rico will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, at South Presbyterian Church, 343 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry. Tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for teen and donations are welcome.

Irvington resident Liana Davila Garcia joined the New York Chapter of the Red Cross’s relief efforts in Puerto Rico in October 2017. It was exactly one month and two days after Hurricane Maria hit the island.

“We delivered, water, canned food, some produce, tarps, water filters and bleach,” said Garcia. “It was hard to get anywhere because all the roads were blocked. It was heartbreaking. People were living in misery: no electricity and sporadic water. They ate once a day and mostly cold, canned food because they had no way of cooking.”

When she got home, she continued to advocate for Puerto Rico.

Emails sent to friends raised funds which were used to purchase sneakers for children who were walking around barefoot as well as some mattresses. Garcia made plans to return to Puerto Rico in February with her daughter Sofia and friend Julia Weber, both juniors at Irvington High School.

She also spoke to the teen group at South Presbyterian Church about the need in Puerto Rico. They took a vote and decided on the spot to host a benefit for Puerto Rico.

“I had been to Puerto Rico with Liana and Sofia a month before Hurricane Maria,” said Kalle Person, a junior at Dobbs Ferry High School and friend of the Garcia family who is also a member of the teen group. “We all wanted to help.”

Garcia said the plan for the money collected from teen benefit is to purchase more mattresses, rebuilding materials, small propane stoves and propane canisters.

One of the members of the South Presbyterian Church, Peter Brenner, who is a retired executive dining administrator at the Federal Reserve, will prepare a traditional menu including arroz con gandules (rice and beans), pavo asado (turkey), tostones (plantains) and delicious Puerto Rican desserts.

Teens will provide the entertainment.

“Teen really want to help by sharing their talents,” said Sarah Brockus, church member and the entertainment producer. “We’ve got a Motown band, a jazz band, an a capella group, a hip-hop performance and a few other surprises.”

Advance tickets or for more information, go to SouthPres.org.

Photo caption: Liana Davila Garcia volunteering in Puerto Rico. Photo credit: Submitted.