The Helpers - from paralysis to hope.

Today marks the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Maria. I watched from afar and have never felt so paralyzed in my entire life. When horrible tragedies happen and we struggle to process them, most find solace in focusing on the helpers. I will let my friends and family back home speak of the incredible stories of those who helped on the ground. While they faced the unthinkable, I had to find a way to fight my paralysis here in Austin. I fell back to my old student council days and did what I do best, organize an event, gather support, sell tickets/donations. Helpers from all around – my incredible Rosas and Maldonado family in Austin, my Notre Dame family, Zilker Elementary, Spredfast, InsureTechATX, Fibercove and so many others. One donation at a time, you helped me feel a little less useless and a ton more hopeful. We broke Eventbrite, we charged $8,000 through their payment page at such a rate that they shut it down, by far my greatest achievement as a startup founder. A net donation of $7,624.45 was sent to https://www.conprmetidos.org/ by November I made it back home. I spent two days volunteering on missions with them. I can confidently report that they were efficient, responsible and organized, so many good people there fighting for those who need it the most. There are a lot of sad memories, each one of you who contributed help me find the hope in the story, thanks to you the paralysis will be shorter next time and the action even bigger. Abrazo- Miguel