Hogansburg and South Colton students are among 23 from SUNY Potsdam who are heading to Puerto Rico this summer to aid in reconstruction efforts after last summer's devastation from Hurricane Maria.

Two groups will travel to Puerto Rico this month. Each group will spend two weeks working with partner organizations on the ground, assisting in reconstruction and revitalization efforts.

Scott Boyce of South Colton and Hogansburg residents Amber Strable and Francine Thomas will be among a group of 30 students led by Assistant Professor of Public Health and Human Performance Christopher Torres.

They will be based in the capital of San Juan from July 29 to Aug. 11, and will travel each day to project sites, working with NECHAMA - Jewish Response to Disaster. NECHAMA's Puerto Rico Rebuild Project is focused mainly on repairing and rebuilding roofs, completing minor repairs and conducting debris removal. The group will be housed at a university campus.

The student volunteers will pitch in with recovery work, such as debris removal, roof repair and light construction projects. The students will also receive three hours of college credit, covered by a SUNY scholarship, for their service learning trip.

To help equip the groups for their trips, Brian LaVack, CEO of LaVack Custom Builders in Massena, donated safety glasses, respirator masks and earplugs for all of the SUNY Potsdam students and faculty participating in the Puerto Rico program.

"When I heard about SUNY's involvement in Governor Cuomo's NY Stands with Puerto Rico Rebuilding and Recovery Initiative, I knew I wanted my organization to get involved," LaVack said in a prepared statement from the school. "These donations are small, but they will properly equip the SUNY students to safely complete the physical work to support the people of Puerto Rico. The non-government organizations are doing incredible work there, and I'm continuing to look for ways for my business to get more involved in the future."

To learn more, visit https://www.suny.edu/puerto-rico/.