During fall break, Messiah students and employees teamed up with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) volunteers in Thibodaux, La., to sort and distribute much-needed supplies for hurricane victims

Messiah College delivers life’s essentials—including hope

Students and employees travel to serve in Louisiana

With such widespread devastation from Hurricane Katrina, it likely will be months before extensive rebuilding efforts can truly begin. But Messiah College students and employees couldn’t wait that long to start helping the storm’s victims. On October 16, a team of three students and four employees traveled to Thibodaux, La., just 60 miles west of New Orleans, ready to meet the most immediate needs of the hungry and the displaced.

Partnering with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
and TRAC (Terrebonne Readiness and Assistance Coalition), a local rebuilding ministry, the Messiah team served in a variety of ways. Team members spent the bulk of their time at local distribution centers, sorting and delivering food, water, clothing, and medical supplies to residents and shelters.

In addition to distributing supplies, the Messiah team also interviewed area church and community leaders to determine the best ways for the College to help on future trips.

One day during the weeklong mission, several team members were assigned to help Mr. Nick, an elderly man who had been staying in a shelter, clean and move back into his home. The smells, maggots, and decay that met the team at the door quickly confirmed their worst suspicions: Mr. Nick would never be able to inhabit his home again. “I pray for Mr. Nick each night; he has no home and his shelter is closing. Where will he go?” Daniel Robles ’06 wonders.

Even after driving through the 9th Ward of New Orleans, one of the hardest-hit areas, the Messiah team still has hope that many homes and communities can be rebuilt—and Messiah students and employees will be there to lend a hand.

“Would I go back to help on another team?” asks Deb Poplaski, assistant to the dean of the School of Health and Natural Sciences. “You bet. I’d go in a minute.”