by Robert Fox
March 8, 2006 – As we drive today I reflect on the last few days and feel that today was the most rewarding – we were able to help set up the camp to have enough spots for all the Hillel volunteers. If our groups have been able to get week-long jobs done in two days, I have to wonder how much those 450 people can get done in three weeks.
There is a part of me that is highly tempted to find out if I can come down here for two months during the summer. I want to be able to work with these people and help motivate and organize groups in the camp site and the work sites. I’m surprised by the fact that my working as hard as I can actually motivates people, and that’s a fact I’m thankful for because other than saying “keep it up, you’re doing great” and similar phrases, I’m not much of a cheerleader.
I’m conflicted on my feelings about the damage I see. On the one hand, I can see the terrible losses that these people have experienced and know that this is a massive heartache even for those who came through relatively unscathed. On the other hand, and maybe because I’ve followed this story or because I see that there is still life here, there is still hope and I’ve seen places with neither anymore.
Robert Fox is a Coe College senior from East Troy, Wis., majoring in biology and philosophy.
Thursday, March 9, 2006
Top This
by Quinton Clay
March 8, 2006 – Today our group of 10 completed our first task. Affectionately dubbing ourselves the “Top This” roofing company, I found irony in the selfless spirits and the professional work ethic.
Led by Jon Oswood, the six woman and three man crew successfully stripped, tarred and shingled the roof for an 81-year-old woman named Aida, who has lived in Mississippi since 1976. Aida and her son, Walter, were caught in their Biloxi home during Hurricane Katrina. Walter put his mother in the attic of their one-story home as the water rose. He later joined her, equipped with a hammer and a crow bar in case he needed to break through the roof to escape.
I was glad to see the pride and dedication of my group – Jon and Carter Oswood, Gayle Dunlap, Clayton Niewoehner, Kyle Scheer, Haley Pins, Cara Cavanaugh, Katie Elliott Stephanie Beecher and me. After swiftly progressing during a challenging day one, members of the group immediately expressed interest in staying with our project from start to finish.
I truly believe that each of us was touched by the thankfulness and appreciation shown by Aida and Walter.
Quinton Clay is a Coe College admission counselor.
March 8, 2006 – Today our group of 10 completed our first task. Affectionately dubbing ourselves the “Top This” roofing company, I found irony in the selfless spirits and the professional work ethic.
Led by Jon Oswood, the six woman and three man crew successfully stripped, tarred and shingled the roof for an 81-year-old woman named Aida, who has lived in Mississippi since 1976. Aida and her son, Walter, were caught in their Biloxi home during Hurricane Katrina. Walter put his mother in the attic of their one-story home as the water rose. He later joined her, equipped with a hammer and a crow bar in case he needed to break through the roof to escape.
I was glad to see the pride and dedication of my group – Jon and Carter Oswood, Gayle Dunlap, Clayton Niewoehner, Kyle Scheer, Haley Pins, Cara Cavanaugh, Katie Elliott Stephanie Beecher and me. After swiftly progressing during a challenging day one, members of the group immediately expressed interest in staying with our project from start to finish.
I truly believe that each of us was touched by the thankfulness and appreciation shown by Aida and Walter.
Quinton Clay is a Coe College admission counselor.
Monday, March 6, 2006
Building Home Base
by Kendra Grams
March 6, 2006 – This week the camp has approximately 90 residents. Next week that number rises to 150. Thus, the camp has to be expanded and we were the first in the Coe group to help with that task.
We worked on tasks as varied as rocking the drive and clearing brush to provide summer volunteers with a shady area. We also spread wood chips and put up an electrical pole. Then we cleaned out storage tents, dried everything in the sun, moved the tents to make room for a more permanent kitchen, and put everything back in the tents.
As expected, I ache. I rested for 15 minutes before even working up the energy to shower. Then when I finally made it to the shower, I greatly enjoyed my "Navy shower." I was actually happy that the hot water was delayed.
When Kristin returned she offered us a ride to the coast, just to see the destruction. Perhaps it should be described as elimination. Entire houses are simply gone. Ironically, a row of churches have intact steeples, while their entire main floors are gone. The balcony of the First Baptist Church seems to be hanging from nothing while in its Sunday school wing you could pick out the old costume corner that now is strewn amongst the rubble. Speechless. Tearless. I don’t know how to react. Part of me just can’t.
Kendra Grams is a Coe College senior from Hastings, Neb., majoring in biology and German studies.
March 6, 2006 – This week the camp has approximately 90 residents. Next week that number rises to 150. Thus, the camp has to be expanded and we were the first in the Coe group to help with that task.
We worked on tasks as varied as rocking the drive and clearing brush to provide summer volunteers with a shady area. We also spread wood chips and put up an electrical pole. Then we cleaned out storage tents, dried everything in the sun, moved the tents to make room for a more permanent kitchen, and put everything back in the tents.
As expected, I ache. I rested for 15 minutes before even working up the energy to shower. Then when I finally made it to the shower, I greatly enjoyed my "Navy shower." I was actually happy that the hot water was delayed.
When Kristin returned she offered us a ride to the coast, just to see the destruction. Perhaps it should be described as elimination. Entire houses are simply gone. Ironically, a row of churches have intact steeples, while their entire main floors are gone. The balcony of the First Baptist Church seems to be hanging from nothing while in its Sunday school wing you could pick out the old costume corner that now is strewn amongst the rubble. Speechless. Tearless. I don’t know how to react. Part of me just can’t.
Kendra Grams is a Coe College senior from Hastings, Neb., majoring in biology and German studies.
Sunday, March 5, 2006
Pre-cleanup Thoughts on Selflessness
by Lindsey Buchheit
March 5, 2006 -- After one full day of driving (or shall I say, sleeping) and a night in the Presbyterian Church sandwiched in our sleeping bags, I feel so far away from Iowa. The weather is warmer, the speaking style is considerably “twangier” and all feels fresh.
Iowa is just the far-off homeland, that adventureless place we will return to at the end of our ambitious excursion.
Everything that has happened up until this point is, while I am on this trip, extraneous. I find the irony in how all-important factors such as the timely completion of Modern Poetry papers has all be faded into insignificance. However, I’m not all that shocked: it’s being replaced with an agenda of TRUE, real-life significance.
This is not to say that school does not have real-life significance, just that we are now preparing to participate in work that’s really affecting the lives of others for the better – in other words, we have a non-selfish agenda. In the daily grind of school, we focus on our own personal advancement. For one week, we are all focusing on the well-being of those besides ourselves. And this, despite slight anxiety resulting from simply not knowing exactly what we’re going to be facing, is refreshing.
Now, as we’re rolling down the highway in northern Mississippi with only about five hours until our arrival at the work base in Gulfport, a calm feeling of well-being is overtaking the slight anxiety. Iowa is so far away. I am here not to focus on myself, but to focus on others. I’m with 59 other individuals who are here to do the same. And it feels good.
Lindsey Buchheit is a Coe College junior from Fort Atkinson, Iowa, majoring in English and public relations.
March 5, 2006 -- After one full day of driving (or shall I say, sleeping) and a night in the Presbyterian Church sandwiched in our sleeping bags, I feel so far away from Iowa. The weather is warmer, the speaking style is considerably “twangier” and all feels fresh.
Iowa is just the far-off homeland, that adventureless place we will return to at the end of our ambitious excursion.
Everything that has happened up until this point is, while I am on this trip, extraneous. I find the irony in how all-important factors such as the timely completion of Modern Poetry papers has all be faded into insignificance. However, I’m not all that shocked: it’s being replaced with an agenda of TRUE, real-life significance.
This is not to say that school does not have real-life significance, just that we are now preparing to participate in work that’s really affecting the lives of others for the better – in other words, we have a non-selfish agenda. In the daily grind of school, we focus on our own personal advancement. For one week, we are all focusing on the well-being of those besides ourselves. And this, despite slight anxiety resulting from simply not knowing exactly what we’re going to be facing, is refreshing.
Now, as we’re rolling down the highway in northern Mississippi with only about five hours until our arrival at the work base in Gulfport, a calm feeling of well-being is overtaking the slight anxiety. Iowa is so far away. I am here not to focus on myself, but to focus on others. I’m with 59 other individuals who are here to do the same. And it feels good.
Lindsey Buchheit is a Coe College junior from Fort Atkinson, Iowa, majoring in English and public relations.
Leading the Pack
by Lonnie Zingula
March 5, 2006 -- Screaming down Interstate 55 en route from Memphis to Gulfport, Van-tasia leads the Coe caravan for the second day in a row, or so it seems. Somehow, after seemingly leading this amazing race for most of Saturday, with our partners Van-imal House in hot pursuit, we were the second group to arrive in Memphis.
I blame one too many pit stops. They tell me it’s not a race, but it will be no surprise to my family that I treat it otherwise.
Our brief stay in Memphis was a nice reward for the week ahead. The Idlewild Presbyterian Church was a gracious host for the evening and I can’t imagine finer accommodations for the money – $25 for the entire group. We’ll stay there again Friday – if they’ll have us back – on our return trip.
Shortly after arriving in Memphis we unleashed the students on Beale Street with the simple instructions to meet us at the appointed place at 11:50 p.m. I’m pleased to report that everyone was present and accounted for without incident. I think that speaks to the character of the people who would sign up for such a mission, as well as Coe students in general.
Group leaders were treated by College Chaplain Kristin Hutson to a fine dinner at Isaac Hayes’ restaurant. Thanks Kristin! I savor the Memphis barbeque and suspect it will have to sustain me for a few days.
While meals will be provided at the workcamp in Gulfport, I’m keeping my expectations low so not to be disappointed. Likewise, we’ll have shelter and showers at Orange Grove Presbyterian Church, but I don’t expect any comforts of home.
As we make our way through Mississippi, my mind wanders back and forth between inconsequential things – like whether Mississippi’s own Brett Favre will retire or return for another season as quarterback of the Green Bay Packers – and the unknown – like the week ahead.
My excitement about the important mission we are about to embark on is tempered by anxiety over things I cannot control – like the emotions we’ll feel and the group dynamic that will develop as we lend our hands to the massive Hurricane Katrina relief and recovery effort.
More on that in the days ahead.
Lonnie Zingula is associate director of marketing and public relations at Coe College.
March 5, 2006 -- Screaming down Interstate 55 en route from Memphis to Gulfport, Van-tasia leads the Coe caravan for the second day in a row, or so it seems. Somehow, after seemingly leading this amazing race for most of Saturday, with our partners Van-imal House in hot pursuit, we were the second group to arrive in Memphis.
I blame one too many pit stops. They tell me it’s not a race, but it will be no surprise to my family that I treat it otherwise.
Our brief stay in Memphis was a nice reward for the week ahead. The Idlewild Presbyterian Church was a gracious host for the evening and I can’t imagine finer accommodations for the money – $25 for the entire group. We’ll stay there again Friday – if they’ll have us back – on our return trip.
Shortly after arriving in Memphis we unleashed the students on Beale Street with the simple instructions to meet us at the appointed place at 11:50 p.m. I’m pleased to report that everyone was present and accounted for without incident. I think that speaks to the character of the people who would sign up for such a mission, as well as Coe students in general.
Group leaders were treated by College Chaplain Kristin Hutson to a fine dinner at Isaac Hayes’ restaurant. Thanks Kristin! I savor the Memphis barbeque and suspect it will have to sustain me for a few days.
While meals will be provided at the workcamp in Gulfport, I’m keeping my expectations low so not to be disappointed. Likewise, we’ll have shelter and showers at Orange Grove Presbyterian Church, but I don’t expect any comforts of home.
As we make our way through Mississippi, my mind wanders back and forth between inconsequential things – like whether Mississippi’s own Brett Favre will retire or return for another season as quarterback of the Green Bay Packers – and the unknown – like the week ahead.
My excitement about the important mission we are about to embark on is tempered by anxiety over things I cannot control – like the emotions we’ll feel and the group dynamic that will develop as we lend our hands to the massive Hurricane Katrina relief and recovery effort.
More on that in the days ahead.
Lonnie Zingula is associate director of marketing and public relations at Coe College.
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