Puerto Rico natives in Butler Co. worried about families back home

A young man and woman, both born and raised in Puerto Rico but living now in Butler County, are scared by the pictures and video they are seeing on TV from their homeland

They have not been able to get a hold of any loved ones since Hurricane Maria devastated the island a week ago.

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Gheisha Cordero is a Butler Beauty Academy student who lives in Butler with her mom and brother. She has lived here for two years, but her extended family is all in Puerto Rico.

“I have not heard from them, no contact,” she said. “... scared.”

Another student, Ivan Cumba-Mendez, says he can't stop thinking about his 16-year-old brother and uncle who are also on the island. He can't get through to them, but he remains hopeful.

“Although Hurricane Maria took roofs and collapsed bridges, it didn't collapse the bravery of my people,” he said in Spanish.

Academy staff, seeing these two young students hurting so badly, had to do something.

“I see them more than I see my husband and my kids, so we're definitely a big family here,” said colleague Ashley Morrow.

Butler Beauty Academy is in Butler on Main Street. They will hold a “cut-athon” from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 18 to raise money for these students and people in Puerto Rico. Haircuts will be given for $10 donations, and the salon will also gather bottled water and canned goods.

Cox Media Group