OXFORD, Miss. – Student volunteers are being sought at the
University of Mississippi for a Hurricane Katrina relief
trip to Bay St. Louis Nov. 9-11.
“We hope that, through our service as University of
Mississippi students, we can demonstrate how much we care
for these people who have lost so much,” said Adam Wilson,
graduate assistant to the Associated Student Body Volunteer
Service Committee, which is coordinating the trip.
The Lagniappe Church in Bay St. Louis is to be the home
base for volunteers. The church has coordinated with the
Bay St. Louis City Council to proclaim Saturday, Nov. 11,
as Beautify Bay St. Louis Day.
Volunteers must fill out an application packet from the
Dean of Students office, Student Union, Room 422. There is
a $30 fee that pays for housing and meals on Saturday and
breakfast on Sunday. Students will need to bring a health
insurance card as well as their student ID to turn in the
packet, which is due by Nov. 1.
“We hope to not only clean up the destruction from the
storm, but also to comfort these individuals and help mend
their hearts and spirits,” Wilson said.
The committee helps students find volunteer opportunities
year-round through the University of Mississippi Students
Facilitating Unity and Service In Our Neighborhoods – or
UMSFUSION – program. The program coordinates special
volunteer events and puts students in contact with
organizations that have organized projects, as well as
helps students develop ideas for their own projects, Wilson
said.
ASB member Alex Green said that community service is not
only good for the community but also makes a person feel
better about themselves.
“Community service truly makes you grateful for everything
you have,” Green said. “When you help others, it creates a
sense of pride and goodwill that lasts, changing your
entire outlook on life.
“We are encouraging students to work hard while doing the
community service, but also to listen if any of the
residents want to share their stories. In this way, we
intend to bond together the university community with the
community of Bay St. Louis and the statewide community.”
The Katrina Relief Trip is sponsored by Volunteer Services,
Office of the Dean of Students and the ASB Volunteer
Service Committee.
For more information, visit
http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/dean?of?students/ or call
662-915-7248.