Graduate Students help Katrina victims

Date: September 12, 2008

as reported in the GVSU forum:

Graduate students help Katrina victims.

Ten graduate students majoring in physician assistant studies spent time in Lizana, Mississippi, helping rebuild homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina.

"Even though it's been three years since Hurricane Katrina, there are still thousands of people without homes," said Andrew Booth, assistant professor of physician assistant studies. "The students helped frame a home and did repairs and drywall work on another."

The students worked for three days, beginning their volunteer service August 11. "I know I can speak for all of my classmates when I say the trip was both inspirational and rewarding," said Allison Schultz. "The community is healing, but feelings of despair still remain. We tried to provide them hope. Those we spoke with could feel our excitement and I think it gave them a renewed feeling of optimism to know we have not forgotten them."

The group worked through Camp Hope and Compassion and Habitat for Humanity. "The local businesses are just now getting back on their feet," said student Greg Niedzwiecki. "A Subway in Pass Christian, along the coast, just opened for the first time in three years."

Booth said they were able to get funding for the trip from outside sources including Meijer, Costco, Family Fare, Automotive Refinish Marketers and Sungold Abrasives.