A New York man has paused his life — and his construction business — to fly to Puerto Rico in an effort to help rebuild homes.
Zac Bonesteel, who arrived in Puerto Rico on Feb. 18, told Faithwire that he was moved by the plight of Puerto Ricans following the ravaging effects of Hurricane Maria last September.
Five months after the disaster first struck, scores of families are still displaced, with up to 40 percent of the island struggling without adequate electricity, as work on the power grid continues.
— Zac Bonesteel (@ZacBonesteel) February 19, 2018
Bonesteel, who is a contractor by trade, will be working on the ground with the nonprofit All Hands and Hearts to use his skills to help rebuild hurricane-ravaged homes.
“I chose Puerto Rico because the mainland U.S. seemed to be getting a lot of hurricane relief, but Puerto Rico seemed to be falling out ofnthe news, and therefore forgotten,” he told Faithwire. “Sometimes, you just have to help people.”
He has been raising money via GoFundMe in an effort to pay for his trip and to cover his personal expenses while he’s away through Feb. 28. Anything he raises over his $4,000 goal will be donated to hurricane recovery.
“I will continue the fundraiser for the duration of my trip, then cut All Hands and Hearts a check for all funds raised over my stated needs,” Bonesteel said.
But in addition to the cost of the trip, Bonesteel is actually making a major personal sacrifice of about $10,000 in business revenue that he would have made through Bonesteel Renovations, his contracting company.
— Zac Bonesteel (@ZacBonesteel) February 18, 2018
Either way, he said he knew what he’d be sacrificing when he decided to go on the trip. Bonesteel also said that he’s hoping to make a difference and that he’ll be on the ground ready and willing to rebuild in any way he’s needed.
“Imagine being in 85-90 degree humid weather with no clean water and no food and no power,” he told WNYT-TV.
You can follow Bonesteel on his journey here and you can donate here.