USC Aiken Students Spend Fall Break Helping Hurricane Katrina Victims
Trip Sponsored by Fine Deering
October 11, 2007
Fifty USC Aiken students and staff are spending their Fall Break rebuilding homes destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.
The students and staff are volunteering in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity during October 11-13 as part of Katrina relief in New Orleans, Louisiana. This is the second year USC Aiken students have participated in this service project. Last year, students were involved in clean-up of homes destroyed by the hurricane.
“This is an important service project for our students,” said Dr. Tom Hallman, chancellor. “Many of our students are active in community service in the local community, but this project exposes our students to service on a broader scale.”
Fine Deering, an Aiken-based development group, is a major contributor to support costs for the trip. Their contribution will assist in costs of transportation, lodging, and meals for the students and staff participating in the project. Fine Deering has three planned communities in Aiken including Sage Valley, Flat Rock Hill, and Trolley Run Station. According to Hallman, “The generosity of Fine Deering is greatly appreciated. As our students learn the importance of citizenship and giving back to the community, Fine Deering sets a fine example by supporting our students’ endeavors.”
Students and staff left for the trip from USC Aiken on Wednesday evening, October 10, traveled through the night, and will begin work on Thursday morning. Their work will continue Friday and Saturday, with the return trip scheduled for Sunday, October 14. Students and staff will stay at Camp Hope in New Orleans, which provides housing and meals for volunteers of Habitat for Humanity.
For more information about the Hurricane Katrina Fall Break trip, contact Angel Lee, assistant director of Student Involvement – Programming and Volunteerism at 803.641.3776 or angell@usca.edu.
Students and Staff pose with Mr. Robert Deering (third row, center) of Fine Deering
