Think of the last time you watched the news. No doubt there was a story on the latest disaster--be it an act of God or man--and no doubt there was coverage of "the helpers," Red Cross workers or White Helmets or other humanitarian organizations trying to bring order back to the community.
No doubt you've also seen all manner of temporary shelters in this news coverage, places where afflicted people can seek aid and some semblance of normalcy. Sometimes they're commandeered schools or government buildings and sometimes they're nothing more than tents.
And yes, American Tent President Tony Ehrbar, along with American Tent sales manager Jake Legois and COO Bill Story, are currently in Puerto Rico to assist with training and set up of the tents. In addition to deep discounts on the tents, we have set up a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for more badly needed supplies--most important of which include school supplies and mosquito repellant.
The tents and sidewalls, manufactured in here in America by our 30 employees, will help provide shelter for students and educators in some of the hardest hit areas in the island’s south and southwest where thousands of homes, schools and buildings were destroyed and damaged in the January 7 quake and aftershocks. A majority of the 856 schools on the island remain closed due to concerns over structural damage and asbestos and up to a fifth are considered structurally unsound.
“Puerto Rico is in crisis," said Tony. "We want to do all we can to help our fellow American citizens. We are grateful that the American Federation of Teachers selected us to partner in their efforts to help kids and families in Puerto Rico.”
To us, there was no question about the travel, the reduced pricing, or the time that is required to help in this disaster relief effort. It was never a matter of if--but of how. From Tony personally driving to deliver the first shipment of tents in Philadelphia, to our manufacturing team working overtime to get the job done, American Tent is glad to be doing our small part to make life a little better and a little more normal for the hardest hit people of Puerto Rico.
