POTSDAM – Several SUNY Potsdam students from St. Lawrence County are aiding in Puerto Rico's reconstruction following the devastating damage wrought by Hurricane Maria.

Scott Boyce of South Colton, and Amber Strable and Francine Thomas, both of Hogansburg, are based with a larger group from the college in the capital of San Juan through 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 is housed at a university campus.

The students will work with partner organizations on the ground, assisting in reconstruction and revitalization efforts.

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

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

"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. "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/.