Hurricanes have recently passed through the U.S., leaving significant damage in the Carolinas, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida.. Harding is helping those affected by collecting donated supplies. An 18-wheeler parked behind the Benson Auditorium will store and deliver the supplies. Professor Andrew Baker is the president of Community Connections at Harding University and leads the effort to help people affected by the hurricane. Baker said he was aware of the losses citizens had suffered and that they are doing their best to provide a positive response to this natural disaster.
“A lot of people have experienced great loss and we’re just doing what we can to support them in these very difficult times,” Baker said.
Churches and clubs as well as numerous individual sources donated to the cause. Student Government Association president Adele Duncan was heavily involved in this hurricane relief effort. She said because Harding is so connected with surrounding states, that students are delegated to respond to this tragedy with whatever help they can. Duncan is grateful that Harding has people like Andrew Baker who are willing to put together this supply drive for those affected. She said she appreciated the student body for coming together.
“We as a community can be there for one another so that when we are the ones who need help, students, faculty, and staff can be there for us,” Duncan said.
Freshman Abigail Cochran, who resides in North Carolina, is helping with this endeavor at Harding University. She said it has always been important to her to help with disaster relief in any way she can. Her home congregation, Hendersonville Church of Christ, has helped send supplies, money and workers to many disasters. She is thankful that Harding is helping those in her community and others affected by Helene. “It helps to know that the people at Harding care about the places where their students come from, not just the Searcy area,” Cochran said.
