2008 Woodie Awards
Students return to New Orleans for third time
By: Mallory Skinner
Issue date: 10/5/06 Section: LifeStyle
- Page 1 of 1
A group of student volunteers will carpool during fall break to St. Bernard Parish, located southeast of New Orleans, to assist in the city's ongoing relief effort.
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina swamped 25,000 homes in St. Bernard, destroying the city on both residential and commercial scales.
Thanks to massive volunteer efforts, thousands of homes have been repaired and reconstructed. Webster students will work to further reverse the damage by removing rubble and rebuilding homes.
Sponsored by Webster's chapter of Habitat for Humanity and Habitat for Humanity New Orleans Louisiana, the trip will take place from Oct. 14 through Oct. 19.
Students will stay at Camp Hope in Violet, La., a 10-minute commute from St. Bernard. Camp Hope furnishes dormitory-style lodgings as well as buses to shuttle volunteers to and from work sites. Upon arriving at camp, volunteers will complete a brief orientation and safety course. The camp has housed volunteers in the Hurricane Katrina relief effort since June 2006.
Volunteers work in 10-person teams, salvaging family memorabilia and removing debris from the homes
of the elderly and disabled. Jobs are allocated to volunteers by St. Bernard's government.
Sophomore Sara Gunn, a business administration major and president of Webster's Habitat for Humanity, said students will clear homes of decrepit
insulation, sheetrock and furniture. Volunteers are usually able to clean a home in one or two days.
"We will work gutting houses Monday through Wednesday from 6:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.," Gunn said. "Students who would like to help in some other fashion may work in the kitchen, camp or office, preparing food, cleaning up and answering phones."
Volunteers will continue to gut homes of the elderly and disabled until Dec. 31. As of January 2007, homes that cannot be salvaged will be leveled, according to Habitat for Humanity's Web site. The New Orleans Habitat for Humanity will then use the cleared lot to build a new Habitat home for families who did not have homeowners' insurance when Hurricane Katrina struck.
Gunn encouraged students to sign up, noting the trip is an opportunity to explore New Orleans in addition to helping victims of Hurricane Katrina.
"Habitat does not work on Sundays, so part of that day will be spent touring the city," Gunn said. "The trip is a great bonding experience and a chance to help those less fortunate than you."
Ashley Kopp, a junior art major, said a 30-person limit has been set for the trip. Kopp, who helped organize the 2006 spring break trip to New Orleans, said so far 13 students have registered.
Students wishing to participate in the relief effort can sign up at the University Center's Desk Sept. 25 through Oct. 6.
Each volunteer is required to pay a $25 fee. The money collected will be used to purchase supplies and make charitable donations. Housing and food for volunteers are paid for by the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity.
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina swamped 25,000 homes in St. Bernard, destroying the city on both residential and commercial scales.
Thanks to massive volunteer efforts, thousands of homes have been repaired and reconstructed. Webster students will work to further reverse the damage by removing rubble and rebuilding homes.
Sponsored by Webster's chapter of Habitat for Humanity and Habitat for Humanity New Orleans Louisiana, the trip will take place from Oct. 14 through Oct. 19.
Students will stay at Camp Hope in Violet, La., a 10-minute commute from St. Bernard. Camp Hope furnishes dormitory-style lodgings as well as buses to shuttle volunteers to and from work sites. Upon arriving at camp, volunteers will complete a brief orientation and safety course. The camp has housed volunteers in the Hurricane Katrina relief effort since June 2006.
Volunteers work in 10-person teams, salvaging family memorabilia and removing debris from the homes
of the elderly and disabled. Jobs are allocated to volunteers by St. Bernard's government.
Sophomore Sara Gunn, a business administration major and president of Webster's Habitat for Humanity, said students will clear homes of decrepit
insulation, sheetrock and furniture. Volunteers are usually able to clean a home in one or two days.
"We will work gutting houses Monday through Wednesday from 6:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.," Gunn said. "Students who would like to help in some other fashion may work in the kitchen, camp or office, preparing food, cleaning up and answering phones."
Volunteers will continue to gut homes of the elderly and disabled until Dec. 31. As of January 2007, homes that cannot be salvaged will be leveled, according to Habitat for Humanity's Web site. The New Orleans Habitat for Humanity will then use the cleared lot to build a new Habitat home for families who did not have homeowners' insurance when Hurricane Katrina struck.
Gunn encouraged students to sign up, noting the trip is an opportunity to explore New Orleans in addition to helping victims of Hurricane Katrina.
"Habitat does not work on Sundays, so part of that day will be spent touring the city," Gunn said. "The trip is a great bonding experience and a chance to help those less fortunate than you."
Ashley Kopp, a junior art major, said a 30-person limit has been set for the trip. Kopp, who helped organize the 2006 spring break trip to New Orleans, said so far 13 students have registered.
Students wishing to participate in the relief effort can sign up at the University Center's Desk Sept. 25 through Oct. 6.
Each volunteer is required to pay a $25 fee. The money collected will be used to purchase supplies and make charitable donations. Housing and food for volunteers are paid for by the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity.
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