PHOTOS

Canton, NY – On June 5, 2018 several SUNY Canton student-athletes and coaches came together in Puerto Rico to aid families that are still recovering from the effects of Hurricane Maria nine months ago.
 
Baseball coaches Joe Carbone and Victor Rivera-Collazo, in collaboration with the Roberto Clemente Foundation, and students from SUNY Canton, gathered resources to help families in one of the toughest locations to reach on the island.
 
Read below to see a first-hand account of the experience from SUNY Canton alumnus and men's soccer student-athlete Maurizio Paniconi.
 

The roads on our way to Utuado, Puerto Rico were tough, but the scenery through the mountains in the heart of the island were precious. Once we arrived, we were welcomed by the community, who had patiently waited for the resources we had for them. Before we started giving out the goods, we celebrated the occasion by gathering the families and praying, followed by the serving of pizza and soda. Following lunch, we began distributing the resources. Each family received rice, pasta, beans, cereal, milk, sugar, among other supplies. Throughout the entire day, we were treated like family by the locals, who offered us drinks and snacks when we were done. This specific area in Utuado, Puerto Rico has yet to receive power since they lost it in September of 2017.
 
We were the first group to reach this area with resources since the hurricane happened, which shows that there is still a lot of work to be done on the island, especially in such rural places like Utuado. It is important that we do not forget our brothers and sisters that are still in need and struggle day by day from the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.
 
Thank you to everyone that participated with any contribution and donation to the cause, as well as the SUNY Canton community who have been continuously supportive from the beginning. A special thanks to Joseph Carbone and Victor Rivera for their non-stop drive to help with the recovery efforts, Luis Clemente, Ricky Clemente, Lorna Clemente, Luis Torres, Luis Torres Jr, Erdous Lebron, Roberto Clemente, Kimberly Aponte, Abby Philbrick, Elizabeth Labelle, Victor's dad, and the FEMA representatives (as well as anyone I might have forgot to mention) for being there throughout the day.
 
-Maurizio Paniconi '18
SUNY Canton Alumnus
 

Paniconi along with Erdous Lebron, a recently graduated senior on the SUNY Canton men's soccer team, and Luis Torres-Rivera, a sophomore-to be on the baseball team reflected on what the experience meant to them. Senior-to-be Roberto Clemente, Jr. (Bobby Clemente) also took part the in the efforts to aid Puerto Rico.
 
"Being able to help others is the greatest feeling. To see how other people are living and still with a smile on their faces helps me appreciate the blessings that I have and not take anything for granted."
 
-Erdous Lebron '18
SUNY Canton Alumnus

 

"It is incredible the conditions that these people are living, and still have a smile and a warm welcome for us. Having the time to talk with them, hear their stories, and even give them a hug, is one of the greatest experiences that I have ever had."
 
-Luis Torres Jr.
SUNY Canton Baseball Student-Athlete 
 
"It was definitely a blessing being able to help these people who are greatly in need. It's heartwarming to feel the love that we were offered by people that are in such situations nine months after the hurricane struck. There is a lot of work to be done, and I hope to be back soon to continue contributing to the cause."
 
-Maurizio Paniconi
SUNY Canton Alumnus
 
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About SUNY Canton
SUNY Canton is Northern New York's premier college for career-driven bachelor's degrees, associate degrees and certificate programs. The college delivers quality hands-on programs in engineering technology, health, management and public service. Faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to outstanding academic credentials. SUNY Canton OnLine offers hundreds of flexible and convenient courses, as well as 10 exclusively online bachelor's degrees. The college's 15 athletic teams compete as members of the NCAA Division III and the USCAA.