When The Unified Group, a group of independent mechanical contractors from all parts of the U.S., had their November 8 business meeting in Puerto Rico canceled, the contractors wanted to get on a plane for Puerto Rico and help rebuild the devastated island. The group’s executive director, Janet Kelleher, investigated to see if the contractors could get onto the island, and if materials were available for the rebuilding process. She was told that The Unified Group would not be able to stay on the island due to: lack of water, lack of food, safety on the island, lack of transportation on the island, and a lack of hospitals if needed.
The group was undeterred. They immediately partnered with Convoy of Hope, a faith-based, nonprofit organization whose mission is to feed the world through children’s feeding initiatives, community outreaches and disaster response.