By Jay Laurens, Coordinator of Outreach Programs
(Lilly Center for Vocation and Values)
From April 25-28 of this year, a total of 362 tornadoes ripped through the southern United States, killing at least 350 people. Hardest hit was the state of Alabama, where a 1.5-mile wide tornado left a path of destruction almost 80 miles long and resulted in at least 65 deaths and the destruction or major damage of an estimated 5,000 homes.
Recently, a group of students and staff from Catawba College reached out to help those affected by this disaster. On May 16th, the 15-member team departed on a weeklong mission trip to assist with clean up and recovery efforts in the Tuscaloosa and Pleasant Grove communities of Alabama. The trip was coordinated by Volunteer Catawba, an outreach program of the Lilly Center for Vocation and Values. While in Alabama, the team assisted families by removing debris, clearing downed trees, and distributing much needed food, water and supplies. Though the primary purpose of the effort was to provide aid to those devastated by the tornadoes, the impact on each member of the Catawba team was undeniable.
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Joyner was one of four members of the Catawba team who had graduated only two days prior to leaving for Alabama. Anna Dellapenta, also a 2011 graduate and a member of the Catawba basketball team, was similarly moved. She had this to say about her experience: "Seeing piles of debris where houses once stood was overwhelming. The most difficult part for me was filtering through the debris to find precious family belongings like family photos. These told the story of the families affected by the disaster. I couldn't help but think how easily the same thing could have happened to me or my family. I wish I could have stayed in Alabama until every scrap of debris and tree branch were picked up."
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Gaskill |
Donna Steele felt equally compelled to reach out to others in a meaningful way. As soon as she heard about the trip, Steele reports that she went straight to her mother and stated, "I have to go on this trip!" She describes it as more than simple desire, but absolute determination to be part of the experience.
Through involvement in his youth group at First United Church of Christ in Salisbury, Drew Laurens had been on several previous mission trips, but none so soon after a disaster. "This trip really was different. Though people were experiencing utter devastation, there was an amazing sense of hope. Working to literally and figuratively help people pick up the pieces of their lives touched me. My only dissatisfaction came from the fact that there were limitations to how much our crew could do in just one week. There is so much more work to be done in Alabama."
Anna Christopher had also been on several previous mission trips with her church. After talking it over, both she and her roommate – Savannah Goodnight -decided to sign on. Goodnight stated, "Going to Alabama was a great experience for us. It was touching to see so many volunteers from all over our nation coming together to help people in need. I also enjoyed getting to know everyone so well and becoming more of a team – actually even closer than a team – more like family."
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Ijames echoed Ridenhour's sentiments and added, "When we got to Tuscaloosa, I was shocked. I never imagined that it would be so bad. I had so many thoughts running through my head. I could not imagine losing everything within a matter of minutes. As I was helping victims of this disaster, I myself grew as a person. I have a greater appreciation for life and realize that the same thing could easily happen here. I'm really glad I had the opportunity to be part of this team."
For several participants, the trip served as the catalyst for additional action. Upon returning home, Bethany Wall displayed pictures she had taken on the trip on posters announcing a community yard sale that she organized. All proceeds from the yard sale were used to provide assistance to the victims of the Alabama tornados. Wall, who was joined on the trip by her good friend Kayla Flinchum, described the trip as "one of the best weeks of my life."
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During portions of the week, members of the Catawba team could be found wearing t-shirts with the following motto on the front: "Catawba Cares." Under that were the words, "One campus. One community. One world." Jay Laurens, Coordinator of Outreach Programs for the Lilly Center, stated that the students who went on the trip "truly took that motto to heart by reaching outside themselves to help others in a time of need."
Laurens cites a specific example as evidence of the students' commitment. "As we were traveling back to North Carolina, we received word of the terrible devastation in Joplin, Missouri caused by yet another tornado. More than one student on our team asked if we could simply drive straight to Missouri rather than return home. That speaks volumes about our students and their commitment to service. It was truly a joy to work alongside them. We can all be proud of the way they represented Catawba College and themselves."
Each participant on the Alabama mission trip paid a portion of the group's expenses for food and fuel. Support was also provided by the Lilly Endowment, Gay's Chapel United Methodist Church, and individual donors. Bottled water, diapers, socks, and toys for distribution to those in need were provided by Wal-Mart of Salisbury. Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Alabama graciously allowed the team to sleep in their church building all week. Members of the church provided facilities for team members in need of a hot shower each day. Dr. Ken Clapp, the college's chaplain and senior vice president, stressed that "without the generous support of these groups and individuals, the trip would not have been possible."
List of Participants (in alphabetical order):
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- Nastya Barkova ;
- Anna Christopher ;
- Anna Dellapenta ;
- Susan Fisher ;
- Kayla Flinchum ;
- Jessica Gaskill ;
- Savannah Goodnight ;
- Jacob Hill ;
- Ben Ijames ;
- Kendra Joyner ;
- Drew Laurens ;
- Jay Laurens ;
- Adam Ridenhour ;
- Donna Steele ;
- Bethany Wall
RELATED CONTENT:
PHOTOS: Alabama Tornado Relief Trip
Catawba Group Travels to Alabama to Assist with Recovery Efforts
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- Volunteer Catawba ;
- Ongoing Opportunities
