School custodian returns to warm welcome after surviving Haiti earthquake

VERO BEACH, FL — Students, parents and staff at Beachland Elementary welcomed back custodian Antonio Garcon with cards, balloons and song in celebration of his return from Haiti, where he survived the recent devastating earthquake, according to the Stuart News.

According to the story, Garcon went to Haiti before Christmas to help his relatives in Port-au-Prince and planned to return on January 18, but he was caught in the earthquake that destroyed his home and killed some of his family members.

Garcon described the conditions there, saying: "Over there, for food, for water, you can''t find it. You stay outside. You can''t go inside to sleep."

Staff and students were happy to have him back, even singing a special song written just for Garcon, the story stated.

School faculty became concerned after they were unable to reach Garcon, but a teacher was able to get word he was alive after posting a message on Facebook, the story stated.

Garcon was moved by the warm welcome, saying: "Thank you so much. I don''t have the expressions to explain — I love Beachland."