Items donated by The Park and Facilities Catalog staff and the site furnishings company for residents of hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico

The staff at The Park and Facilities Catalog, a commercial site furnishings company in Boca Raton, Fla,. recently donated nearly $500 in supplies to victims of Hurricane Maria who live in Puerto Rico.

Hope Marie Harms, a Dealer Sales Representative with the company, organized the donations. Both the company and the staff participated in the food drive.

At her own expense, Hope flew to Puerto Rico and donated the items in person to people living just outside the capital city of San Juan.

She reported the scene was one of "major devastation."

"It was really a somber atmosphere," she observed.

Home damaged by Hurricane Maria outside of San Juan

The island, home to 3.4 million residents, was slammed on Sept. 20 with a powerful Category 4 hurricane displaying winds as high as 150 mph.

Most homes suffered major damage. Roofs were torn off of many of them. Historic sites were damaged as well.

Supplies that Hope delivered consisted not only of food items, but also included toothbrushes, baby essentials, coffee, tea, bath items and two very important necessities - flashlights and batteries.

Hope said when she was there 80% of the island was still without electricity. Some homes had generators, but most people just relied on candles and flashlights.

Even though aid is being sent to Puerto Rico by the federal government, the Park Catalog employee said more is needed.

"The people were extremely grateful and so appreciative of the supplies we brought with us," Hope said. "Our assistance meant everything to them."

Hope would like to thank the staff and the company for helping her with this worthy cause.

Roofs destroyed in Puerto Rico

 

Its still difficult to get around in Puerto Rico because of all of the debris clogging roads and sidewalks

 

More damage in Puerto Rico., home to more than 3.4 million people