COM Outlook Winter 2019

Children display the items they received from the KPCOM. backpacks, and reusable water bottles, I immediately thought about the possibility of a back-to-school event to benefit Puerto Rico.” Martinez and second-year students Evelina Arzanova, M.B.S.; Jennifer Lara; and Lorena Rodri- guez collaborated to make the back-to-school drive a reality. “Once we returned home, we put our plan into action,” Martinez said. Arzanova jumped in by creating a GoFundMe account, which raised $1,185, while Lorena Rodriguez took charge of organizing a summer bake sale, which brought in about $400. “Working with Evelyn Martinez was instrumen- tal in finding the best ways to utilize these funds,” Arzanova added. “We used the funds to purchase hygiene products, such as toothbrushes, razors, and toothpaste, as well as T-shirts. We also helped a few families in need by making a direct donation from the funds we raised.” Martinez also contacted various wholesalers to obtain quality backpacks for the children and purchased school supplies in bulk. “Once all the supplies were collected, we got together as a team to get everything ready for shipment,” she said. Although preplanned, other KPCOM commit- ments prevented Martinez and her team of students from traveling to participate in the August 11 back- to-school event. KPCOM alumna Eileen Soto, M.D., M.S., who graduated with honors from the college’s Master of Science in Nutrition program in May, was proud to stand in and represent the college. “Working together with other donors, our con- tributions helped more than 150 children, which I am so thrilled about,” Arzanova said. “We could not have done this without working as a team and having a desire to truly make a difference.” †