BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIVERSITY

Brandon Young, a biology/chemistry major from Cleveland, cuts a piece of vinyl siding for a Habitat for Humanity home with the help of (left to right) Dan Stypa, an interpersonal communication major from Newton Falls, and Laura Grothaus, a nursing major from Toledo.

Students, staff ‘mobilize’ to help Katrina survivors

Fifty-two BGSU students, along with four staff members, put the holiday spirit into action last month in Mobile, Ala., helping residents recover from Hurricane Katrina.

From Dec. 18-21, student and staff volunteers helped tear waterlogged flooring and walls out of the home of Mobile resident Robert Hughes, build a home with Habitat for Humanity and distribute donated toys.

Sara Lavery, a secondary education major from Mentor, pushes a wheelbarrow of debris to the curb in front of Robert Hughes' home near the Dog River in Mobile.

Staff members on the trip were Clinton Stephens, coordinator of student organization and community service programs in the Office of Campus Involvement; graduate assistants Adam McCready and Debra Smith, both in campus involvement, and Irene Scott, Disability Services.

Gina Tortorella, a finance and accounting major from Ravenna, helps Robert Hughes rip up floorboards in his home.

January 9, 2006