Riverdale Presbyterian Church members are traveling to Puerto Rico in February to help those affected by Hurricane Maria.

Carmen Leon, one of the church members, has family back in Puerto Rico. She says when the hurricane hit in September 2017, she had to watch her island get ripped apart from afar.

"Most of my family is there," says Leon.

Leon will be traveling with over a dozen other members of the church to the town of Anasco. This is a one-week mission trip to help those rebuilding years later.

Mission work is a big part of the church. They have done trips to Washington, D.C., New Orleans, and Appalachia.

But traveling as far as Puerto Rico to lend a helping hand is something that excites youth member and Hostos freshman Kizanna Awad. " I just thought it was awesome for someone my age to have that story to tell," said Awad.

To make the trip happen, the church is working with the Presbyterian Disaster Association. They are also working with Congregation Tehilla, a Jewish congregation that celebrates the high holy days at the church.

Riverdale Presbyterian Church has been holding events to raise money, hoping this mission will leave its mark on Anasco and those making the trip.