Alexandra Berry demonstrates the quantity of supplies collected
<picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/42/width/400/16687_IMG_1691.rev.1519404216.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/42/width/400/16687_IMG_1691.rev.1519404216.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/42/width/400/16687_IMG_1691.rev.1519404216.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/gid/42/width/400/16687_IMG_1691.rev.1519404216.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/42/width/400/16687_IMG_1691.rev.1519404216.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/42/width/400/16687_IMG_1691.rev.1519404216.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/42/width/400/16687_IMG_1691.rev.1519404216.jpg" width="400" height="533" alt="Xiomara Canales, Program Director at the San Juan Head Start Program, displays the donations they received" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/42/width/400/16687_IMG_1691.rev.1519404216.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/42/width/400/16687_IMG_1691.rev.1519404216.jpg 3x" data-max-w="2400" data-max-h="3200" loading="lazy"/></picture>
Xiomara Canales, Program Director at the San Juan Head Start Program, displays the donations they received
<picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/42/width/400/16690_IMG_8216.rev.1519404217.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/42/width/400/16690_IMG_8216.rev.1519404217.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/42/width/400/16690_IMG_8216.rev.1519404217.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/gid/42/width/400/16690_IMG_8216.rev.1519404217.jpg 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/42/width/400/16690_IMG_8216.rev.1519404217.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/42/width/400/16690_IMG_8216.rev.1519404217.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/42/width/400/16690_IMG_8216.rev.1519404217.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="One of the four suitcases that were brought to PR and the USVI" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/42/width/400/16690_IMG_8216.rev.1519404217.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/42/width/400/16690_IMG_8216.rev.1519404217.jpg 3x" data-max-w="3200" data-max-h="2400" loading="lazy"/></picture>
One of the four suitcases that were brought to PR and the USVI
Alexandra Berry (center) with Joe Buchanan, Asst. Principal, Njnanya Boyd, Asst. Principal, Alcede Edwards, Principal, and April Petrus, Asst. Principal at Charlotte Amalie High School
In the aftermath of the devastation Hurricanes Irma and Maria caused in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, MMC students from the affected areas organized a hugely successful fundraiser to collect school supplies for schools in need.
“Se levanta” is the slogan Puerto Rico is using post-hurricanes, meaning “rise up.” With the guidance of Alexandra Berry, Assistant Director of International Admission, and support from the Cultural Peer Mentor group and other international students, current MMC students from Puerto Rico and St. Thomas developed an initiative to help those in need back home: Schools Helping Schools.
Students organized and promoted a school supply drive and took turns staffing a donation table in Carson Hall where they collected pens, pencils, markers, rulers, backpacks, notebooks, and more from the MMC community. In all, more than 200 pounds of materials were donated!
Alexandra Berry then headed to three designated schools with four suitcases filled to the brim with supplies: Colegio Nuestra Señora de la Providencia (Guaynabo, Puerto Rico), San Juan Head Start Program (San Juan, Puerto Rico), and Charlotte Amalie High School (St. Thomas, USVI). Several current MMC students are alumni of these schools, making the initiative even more impactful and personal.
Thanks to all those in the community who participated. The drive was a major success and a testament to the compassion and activism of our students.
Boxes of supplies collected for Schools Helping Schools drive at MMC
