Oakcrest Students Lead Honduras Donation Drive

Sophomores Mariana Arguello ('23) and Mariana Bendeck ('23) are spearheading the effort, encouraging the Oakcrest community to donate clothing, nonperishable food items, cleaning supplies, and more by January 28. 

This charitable effort has a personal aspect for both students. Both have family in Honduras, and they have been watching with growing concern as the country has suffered in the aftermath of Hurricanes Eta and Iota, the two category 4 hurricanes that struck Honduras within the space of two weeks. Mariana Bendeck notes that Hondurans have also beens struggling as a result of the pandemic and the economic effects of lockdown. "The effects of those two hurricanes were devastating; many people's homes were flooded up to the roofs, people lost all of their possessions, lost loved ones, and are currently taking shelter under bridges and on the streets," she explains. "These people are wholly dependent on the donations of other countries. This is why Mariana and I are trying to help out in any way we possibly can. I know we can collect a lot of donations to send over that will help out these people in a tremendous way. Especially since the holidays just happened, we just received gifts and spent time with our families, but these people are worried about their livelihoods... I want to alleviate [that] as much as possible with our donations." 

The donated items will be shipped overseas to Honduras in February. The students hope to fill a forty-foot container with donations. The Aldebaran School will work along with the Archdiocese of San Pedro Sula to distribute the donations. 

Both material donations and money donations (to cover the cost of shipping) are needed. See a list of needed items here.