Cadet Response Team Members Help at Long Island Hurricane Shelter

Members of the Cadet Response Team gather for a “class photo” after completing American Red Cross training on sheltering.

They were immediately assigned to the Red Cross shelter at East Hampton High School in Long Island where they helped set up the shelter in anticipation of arrival of evacuees displaced by Hurricane Sandy. The cadets subsequently helped with shelter feeding and logistics.

"The experience proved valuable for the team," said Virginia Lopez who oversees the non-profit group with her husband, Ralph.

Cadet Response Team provides children and youth the know-how of military training and teamwork so they can better serve their communities. With more than 50 years combined experience in the military, cadetting, and search and rescue, Lopez said the program offers a well-rounded educational and physical training that can improve safety and well-being.

She adds that the program brings real world military training experience so children and youth learn to do more on their own, and for their communities.

Photo: Virginia Lopez, Angel Duran, Giovanni Marrero, Robert Perez, and Ralph Perez