NewsStudent LifeService
Student volunteers make another trek to New Orleans
Mar 26, 2007 12:00 AM
By Tannika King - Faculty
Nearly two years after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita ravished the Gulf Coast, members of the Darlington community are still seeing and feeling their effects. Over spring break, 11 students were hard at work in New Orleans, La. Their crew, which also included a student from Rockmart High School and five adult leaders, traveled to New Orleans as a part of a hurricane relief mission trip with the student ministries of First Presbyterian Church of Rome.
As the group drove into New Orleans, students were shocked to see all of the destruction that still remains, even after nearly two years. “It surprised us all,” said sophomore Lauren McDaniel. “There is still so much work to be done, and there are still people who need so much help.”
The volunteers, led by Gainsville-based mission organization TEAMeffort, completed various projects around First United Methodist of New Orleans, one of approximately 50 church bases for volunteers in the city. Tasks varied from tearing down an old playground, to cleaning out rooms that had not been touched since the hurricanes, to helping serve dinner to other volunteer groups.
“I decided it was my turn to give back and do my part in helping to rebuild the beautiful city of New Orleans,” said sophomore Taylor Richardson. “While we were working, people would honk their horns and wave at us. This was gratifying because it made us realize how much of an impact each one of us was making – not just on the church, but on the whole community.”
Bill Pardue (’97), director of student ministries for First Presbyterian, said working with First Methodist was one of the most important things his student volunteers could do. “There is so little space for people to stay as volunteers, so each room that opened up was another opportunity for people to come and serve this city,” he said.
The experience taught student volunteers a great deal about service and appreciation. “You see so many bad things on the news and in the newspapers, but there really are some awesome things being done in New Orleans. I was proud to be a part of that,” said junior Patrick Wilson. “People really do care that we go down to help them out in hard times.”
Sophomore Patrick Pierson said the trip made him more grateful for the life he lives every day. “It feels so good to help others and make a difference in their lives. There are people in New Orleans who still don’t have a home, and until now, that was just something I took for granted,” he said.
Richardson summed everyone’s sentiments well, “T his trip taught me to always give a helping hand to anyone who may need it; it is better to give than to receive; and even after the hardest times of your life, you should try to keep a positive attitude, much like the people of New Orleans have done.”
As the group drove into New Orleans, students were shocked to see all of the destruction that still remains, even after nearly two years. “It surprised us all,” said sophomore Lauren McDaniel. “There is still so much work to be done, and there are still people who need so much help.”
The volunteers, led by Gainsville-based mission organization TEAMeffort, completed various projects around First United Methodist of New Orleans, one of approximately 50 church bases for volunteers in the city. Tasks varied from tearing down an old playground, to cleaning out rooms that had not been touched since the hurricanes, to helping serve dinner to other volunteer groups.
“I decided it was my turn to give back and do my part in helping to rebuild the beautiful city of New Orleans,” said sophomore Taylor Richardson. “While we were working, people would honk their horns and wave at us. This was gratifying because it made us realize how much of an impact each one of us was making – not just on the church, but on the whole community.”
Bill Pardue (’97), director of student ministries for First Presbyterian, said working with First Methodist was one of the most important things his student volunteers could do. “There is so little space for people to stay as volunteers, so each room that opened up was another opportunity for people to come and serve this city,” he said.
The experience taught student volunteers a great deal about service and appreciation. “You see so many bad things on the news and in the newspapers, but there really are some awesome things being done in New Orleans. I was proud to be a part of that,” said junior Patrick Wilson. “People really do care that we go down to help them out in hard times.”
Sophomore Patrick Pierson said the trip made him more grateful for the life he lives every day. “It feels so good to help others and make a difference in their lives. There are people in New Orleans who still don’t have a home, and until now, that was just something I took for granted,” he said.
Richardson summed everyone’s sentiments well, “T his trip taught me to always give a helping hand to anyone who may need it; it is better to give than to receive; and even after the hardest times of your life, you should try to keep a positive attitude, much like the people of New Orleans have done.”
