HOUSTON, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- As Thanksgiving arrived on Thursday in the United States, some Houston police officers did not follow the tradition to spend the holiday with their families, but rather worked to rebuild Puerto Rico which was hit badly by Hurricane Maria in September.
The officers are "thankful for being able to help, making new friends, and bringing hope and smiles to the community," the police department said in a tweet.
They are the last of the three 25-person Houston police groups headed to Puerto Rico after a nationwide request from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for 300 volunteers. The first and second groups left earlier this month. All three groups will return to Houston by Dec. 15.
The officers chosen to go to the island assist local law enforcement agencies with responsibilities including traffic control, said the Houston police.
Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico on Sept. 20, causing at least 48 deaths as well as widespread flooding.
