Student Volunteers
Thirty-two Darlington students and four adult chaperones loaded a 16-foot trailer full of supplies left the comforts of Darlington School Saturday, Sept. 17, not knowing what they would find upon their arrival in
Pascagoula, Miss.
“Although we didn’t know exactly what our volunteers would be doing in Pascagoula, we knew that it was a short trip and that we planned on accomplishing as much as possible in the time we had,” said Penny Braden (’87), Darlington technology specialist. “This would involve long hours, hard work and little sleep, so the students knew going into it that they had to be dedicated.”
The trip was inspired when ARAMARK Operations Manager Doug Braden (’87) challenged students to volunteer man hours locally, at RomeKares, or on the weekends in Alabama and Mississippi.
“These areas need supplies and money, but they also need volunteers. I came out of my comfort zone [to help these people], and I am so glad that I had to the chance to do it,” said Mr. Braden, after returning from a relief trip to
Bayou La Batre, Ala.
When the Darlington group arrived in Mississippi, they made contact with Dr. Yolanda Gutierrez, the mother of senior Johana Bucci and a local pediatrician whose home was devastated by the hurricane. She gave them a tour of the neighborhood, beginning with the lot where her home once stood. As the student volunteers began sifting through the rubble, searching for photos and anything that might still have value to their classmate’s family, Dr. Gutierrez quickly brushed aside her own needs and ushered them toward the homes of her neighbors.
The entire neighborhood was in ruins. Piles of debris were all that were left of most homes, and those that still had framework were being gutted due to water damage. As the volunteer group drove through the streets, looking for an opportunity to help, they spotted a man attempting to clean up his front yard alone.
“We unloaded and proceeded to move, throw and haul the monstrous amount of debris from his yard to piles on the street,” said Mrs. Braden. “It was hot, dangerous, manually demanding work, and we went non-stop. His neighbors began cleaning up their own yards late that afternoon, so some of our group stretched into their areas to help. We stopped only when darkness fell.”
The reality of the situation set in immediately for the students.
“This man was going to pick up the rubble from his house as well as about three other houses surrounding his – a job that took 32 teenagers more than five hours to do. By himself, it would have probably taken this man days, maybe weeks,” said junior Will Edwards.
The students spent the night on the floor of Dr. Gutierrez’s office, and the next morning, they began unloading supplies, which included shoeboxes filled with items donated by first-graders at Unity Christian School. After giving some of the supplies to Dr. Gutierrez’s patients and employees, the group dropped all but the clothing and furniture off at First Baptist Church of Pascagoula where the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief team had set up a primary drop-off/pick-up point.
“As we left their lot, there were literally blocks of cars lined up waiting,” said Mrs. Braden. “We decided to go back to Dr. Gutierrez’s office and unload the rest of our stuff. The students made signs that said ‘Free Supplies,’ and held them out at the road."
Within minutes, the small parking lot was full of needy people. Freshman Jackie Hoffman recalls one lady who showed up with two young boys. The family had been living in tents for three weeks without anywhere to shower.
"The lady had a bruised hip and a couple of broken ribs, and one of her sons had a broken arm," she said. "We helped her pick through everything to find some clothes and linens. Then she said, 'You guys have towels?! We've had no towels, and we can't find them anywhere. God bless you guys,' and she started to tear up. We realized how desperate these people are for everyday items."
"She didn't take many because she wanted others to have some, but she was so happy just to have three towels," recalled junior Nikki Bernier. "Later on, she asked if we had any stuffed animals for her sons. We didn't, but we looked all over for one. I wanted to do anything I could to help her."
The remainder of the group spent the last couple of hours cleaning up the grounds around the doctor’s office, as the roof had been damaged and tiles and bricks littered the yard. The Bradens agreed that the effort put forth by the 32 student volunteers was most impressive.
“I was touched by the unselfish performance of our students. They never complained or questioned; they just worked,” said Mrs. Braden. “None of the adult chaperones ever had to direct them. We were all one. Even as we took a break to eat the barbeque dinner dropped off to us by the Red Cross, some students continued to work while others ate. No one ever asked to quit, and no one ever asked when we’d be done. I’ve never been around 32 kids who were so selfless.”
Bernier, who plans to join the Peace Corps after college, will never forget the experience. “I plan on going on as many relief trips as I can because there are still plenty of people to help,” she said. “I think others should do the same because images on TV just don’t capture the reality of the situation.”
Sophomore Jennifer Watford is also committed to future relief opportunities. "People need our help, and I can give up my weekends to do it," she said.
Edwards urged others in the Darlington community – faculty and staff included – to do what they can to help the people of the devastated region. “What’s really needed is physical help – people who are willing to go down there and get dirty. I went on the relief trip because I wanted to be one of those people,” he said. “Even if I only made a small difference, I was glad to have helped make someone’s life a little easier.”
On Oct. 20, the Bradens and Jill Pate, director of personal counseling and “Y” Cabinet adviser, will return to the Gulf Coast with a group of “Y” Cabinet members and community service liaisons.
“The student body is purchasing the supplies, which will include linens, undergarments and pajamas, school supplies, personal care items, toys and infant products,” said Mr. Braden. “We are going to stay two or three days and be hands-on to whatever the Pascagoula community needs at that time. I hope the students who go on these trips will understand a little of what several of our Darlington students and their families went through in Mississippi and Louisiana.”
According to Edwards, they do. “Going down there and really seeing the aftermath of Katrina first-hand is really something else,” he said. “It makes you realize how lucky you are to live in a nice house with food on the table every day, to take a warm, clean shower, to put on clean clothes.”
The Bradens also plan to organize a trip to Pascagoula in early November. If you are interested in chaperoning either of the upcoming trips, please contact
Penny Braden.
