Relief efforts directed by the Student Association began in LaPlace, La., last weekend, following Hurricane Isaac’s pass through the region in late August.
Over the next three weekends, the SA plans to send more teams of about 10-12 people to the city, located about 25 miles west of New Orleans. SA President Will Waldron said these teams will primarily focus on gutting and cleaning damaged homes, providing hot meals to victims and praying over the city.
“We went down there this last Friday, and it’s kind of a shame just how much it’s been covered up,” Waldron said. “They kind of put it in the news for a couple days and then all of a sudden it disappeared because of all the national conventions and the Democratic and Republican nominations and everything. But when we went down there to check it out, I mean in some areas the damage is just like what you saw when Katrina came through New Orleans. So that’s why we want to go.”
According to CNN, the category one hurricane damaged approximately 13,000 homes throughout the state of Louisiana after reaching the coast on Aug. 19.
Senior Scotti Beth Lawson, born and raised in LaPlace, said her home received six inches of flood damage, though in other parts of the city some received as much as six feet.
“It’s kind of turned us completely upside down,” Lawson said. “This is not something that has ever happened before. I think our biggest issue is trying to pick up the pieces and trying to get back to putting our heads above water and figuring out what are the next steps and how do we go about getting all this relief taken care of.”
Lawson contacted Waldron three weeks ago when she heard about the SA’s plans to work in LaPlace. Since then, she made a chapel announcement about the efforts on behalf of the SA and her family opened its home for students to stay in while in LaPlace. Lawson said she wants to be available to answer questions, to help the SA get in touch with local officials and to generally be at the SA’s disposal throughout the efforts.
The SA is also collecting stuffed animals in the student center for the relief teams to hand out to children affected by the damage in LaPlace. Waldron said the SA would like to get local schools and businesses involved, and students are encouraged to participate.
“It was a truly great experience that allowed us to shine God’s light and be the servants we are called to be, while still having a good time and making memories that will last a life time,” said freshman Stephanie Grzenia, who went to LaPlace last weekend.
