Former Gator star helps kids of Puerto Rico rebound from hurricane
TAMPA (FOX 13) - It's been five months since Hurricane Maria ravaged the island of Puerto Rico. As of today, there are still 400,000 customers without power. The relief efforts have been slow to reach those in need, and there is still a need for help.
Former Florida Gator basketball star Teddy Dupay is taking a shot at paying it forward.
"That's what wakes you up in the morning, for me it's just helping kids,” said Dupay.
Basketball is in Teddy Dupay's blood. From sunup to sundown, Dupay continues to breath basketball. It's been 20 years since the former Gator guard broke the state's high school record for most points, a record that still stands. But it's Dupay's impact that he's making with kids in the Tampa Bay community that he's most proud of.
"What we do is incredible,” continued Dupay. "Nobody does anything like this, in terms of boosting morale for kids, boosting confidence."
Dupay is taking his game global, consumed by a drive to make a difference. After seeing and hearing about the massive destruction caused by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, Dupay decided to join forces with the MCS Foundation, a Puerto Rican company, to bring much-needed relief to Puerto Rican kids through a free week-long basketball camp.
"We started off with a few kids”, said Dupay. “We added another school, then another charity. It was up to 50 kids, then it was up to 100 kids. It's free completely for the kids and right now we have over 1,000 kids."
Dupay has been collecting donations for the last six weeks. Getting the essentials from Tampa to Puerto Rico has been challenging. He's made three trips so far and has resorted to packing two of his own personal luggage bags filled with everything from bug spray to diapers.
"Lots of basketballs,” smiled Dupay. "I'm deflating them and putting them into suitcases and we get them. Yeah, we'll take anything. They need everything."
Through the game of basketball, Dupay is touching lives, bringing hope to an island that's on the rebound.
For information on how to help:
Teddy Dupay for Kids Fund ("TD4Kids"): http://www.teddydupay.com/puertorico
MCS Foundation: https://www.greenforpuertorico.org/