By Sondra Rodriguez, Student Reporter
Nearly two dozen students will travel to Houston for fall break to help restore the suburb of Clear Lake, which was hit by Hurricane Ike in mid-September.
Emily Garrison, who works in the Volunteer Student-Learning Center, said about 20 students signed up for the trip so far.
“We have over 20 who are interested but we’re still working on the details, and once we get those, we can finalize our list,” she said.
The group will leave Thursday afternoon and return to Abilene on Sunday. Garrison said volunteers plan to spend Thursday traveling, work Friday and Saturday and then return on Sunday after worship at Clear Lake Church of Christ. The group will stay at the church building as well.
Garrison said she is not sure what exactly they will be doing but plans to do whatever is needed. “It just depends on what the people need,” she said.
Garrison said she has been on campaigns like this in the past and expects to do similar projects this time.
“We cleaned up a park, helped clean up a church, cleaned out flooded and damaged furniture from people’s homes, took down branches – lots of manual labor,” she said. “Basically whatever is needed at the time.”
By the time the hurricane hit Houston on Sept. 15, it was ranked as a Category 2, which means wind speeds range from 96-111 mph, causing devastating damage to homes, businesses and entire communities. Garrison said residents never plan for a disaster like this, and she is encouraging students to consider the trip.
“It’s a great way to touch someone’s life,” she said. “No one plans on this happening; our lives can change at any minute. It’s hard when everything you own is ripped out of your home and put out on the curb.”
James Woodroof, junior interdisciplinary major from Nashville, said he plans to attend the trip.
“I’ve sent a few e-mails saying I’m interested,” Woodroof said. “I’m hoping everything works out so I can go.”
Woodroof said he thinks helping in Houston will be beneficial for both student volunteers and Clear Lake residents.
“I feel like it would be a very good way to spend my fall break,” he said. “It would be very useful to the people down there who need help.”
Garrison said service opportunities like this happen suddenly, but it is not too late to sign up.
“You never know [of] these opportunities until they are in your lap,” she said. “People who are still interested are more than welcome to contact me.”
For those who cannot make the trip during fall break, the VSLC is planning another trip after the week of finals, but details have not been finalized. Those interested in the trip during fall break can contact Garrison at emily.garrison@acu.edu.
