Elon University students gathered Dec. 2 in Jordan Gym to raise money for hurricane relief in Puerto Rico at "Zumba for Puerto Rico."
The event was held by two students hoping to raise awareness and money for Unidos Por Puerto Rico, an organization that has been helping with infrastructure, cleaning up, and rebuilding on the island. Senior Sofia Wensel, a Puerto Rico native, helped coordinate the event along with Junior Laney Rubenstein.
Rubenstein is passionate about zumba and came up with the idea of Zumba for Puerto Rico after seeing how much damage the island still has, nearly 10 weeks after Hurricane Maria hit. The zumba class played music entirely in Spanish and featured only music by Puerto Rican artists.
More than 32 students attended the zumba event and helped raise $282 from cash and Venmo donations. Wensel said every penny counts and the money will be used to help areas of the island still struggling.
“I was there for thanksgiving and you can see some trees growing, but the mood and the people are just very sad,” she said.