FRYEBURG — Nine Fryeburg Academy clubs joined forces for two weeks in October to raise post-hurricane relief funds for Puerto Rico.

At the academy’s weekly all-school meeting on Oct. 3, faculty advisors and student leaders of the participating groups publicized the island’s plight and invited all present to make donations in any amount, noting that there had been an anonymous challenge to match the first $570 raised – a figure that corresponds with FA’s current enrollment of 570 students.

Following the kick-off, FA’s Student Council voted to “match the match,” granting $570 from its budget toward the effort, and the French Club followed suit, donating another $500. Along with the original matching gift and the $461 given by students and personnel, a total of $2,101 has been sent to United for Puerto Rico, an initiative of Beatriz Rossello, wife of the territory’s governor, Ricardo Rossello.

The organization describes its purpose as collaborating with the private sector to provide aid and support to those affected in Puerto Rico by the passage of Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria. According to its website, “100% of the proceeds will go to helping victims affected by these natural disasters in Puerto Rico.”

FA clubs organizing the fundraiser included the International Club, Model United Nations, Girl Up, Caring Acts of Kindness Everyday (CAKE), Interact, Civil Rights Team, Youth In Government, Student Council and the French Club.

Social Studies Department Chairman Richard Taylor is the faculty advisor of the Civil Rights Team and Youth In Government. “We are thrilled at the success of this relief effort,” he said. “The whole school community got behind it. This is a compassionate place.”

Fryeburg Academy is a private boarding and day school serving grades nine-12 and offering a postgraduate year. 

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