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Family getting results for students impacted by Hurricane Irma

More than $1,000 raised to help those displaced by hurricane

ZELLWOOD, Fla. – Some Orange County students impacted by Hurricane Irma are getting relief from one family living hundreds of miles away.

Amanda Moncur said her family was planning a vacation from Alabama to the Orlando area, but when the storm hit, their plans changed.

"We figured this is an awesome opportunity for us to go down there to make a little detour from our family vacation and to help out," Moncur said.

Through a GoFundMe campaign, the family was able to raise more than $1,000 for supplies for those displaced from the hurricane.

Moncur said her church then put her in touch with Zellwood Elementary School, which has dozens of students who are still recovering from the storm.

Yadira Ayala has two students at the school and said her family was sent running during the height of the storm when a tree came crashing through the roof of their home.

"We ran out.  My husband grabbed both of the smallest kids and we had no shoes, nothing," Ayala said.  "We just ran out of the house."

Ayala's seven-year-old daughter burst into tears while meeting the Moncur family at the school Thursday.

"It's about your home is where your heart is and your memories are, so I can't imagine losing your home," Moncur said.
Ayala and her two children have been staying with her brother's family since the storm.  They received clothing, backpacks, gift cards and other essentials from the Moncur family.

"It's a really good blessing from them.  I wasn't expecting it," Ayala said. "It's been hard, but I know we're going to have our home again someday."

Moncur said she also hope the donations are a good lesson for her children on the importance of giving back.

"We hope to inspire them to keep on giving and to spread that love throughout the world," Moncure said.

To donate to Orange County students for hurricane relief, please visit foundationforocps.org.


About the Author
Mark Lehman headshot

Mark Lehman became a News 6 reporter in July 2014, but he's been a Central Florida journalist and part of the News 6 team for much longer. While most people are fast asleep in their bed, Mark starts his day overnight by searching for news on the streets of Central Florida.

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