Last year, Hurricane Harvey hit landfall along the middle Texas coast on Aug. 25. Soon after, Kelly Hardie, assistant dean of students, organized a trip for students to travel and serve. With new devastation in the east coast from Hurricane Florence, another hurricane relief project will be set in place. Students will be travelling to North Carolina on a trip organized by Hardie.

“Last year we were involved in hurricane clean-up in Texas,” Hardie said. “I coordinated a service group to volunteer with an organization called All Hand Volunteers. That was very well-received by the student body, so I placed it on the schedule again, not knowing where we would go or if we would be back in Texas, praying there was not new devastation that happened, but unfortunately there is new devastation that occurred, so we will be traveling back with All Hand Volunteers.”

Hardie founded the non-profit organization last year when students approached Hardie with the interest of serving in hurricane-relief.

“Our students had a very positive experience with them,” Hardie said.

The area the students worked in last year during their trip to Texas was severely damaged, and the service entailed a lot of physical labor, according to Hardie.

Hardie said five students are currently signed up for the service trip and slots are still available, yet limited. For more information or to sign up, go to the Service tab on MyConnect. The fee will be $500 or less, according to Hardie, and the trip is also a chance for students to fill their required Service Learning Requirement.

For Emily Musk,  junior forensic science major, this trip interested her specifically because it is a situation in which people are forced to rebuild their lives, and she wanted to be a part of that.

“My favorite part about serving is meeting all of the people I encounter. Whether it is others serving with you or residents who were affected, you have the opportunity to hear so many stories,” Musk said. “You created a bond with the people you serve or serve with.”

In Hardie’s role, she is the sole coordinator with All Hand Volunteers in setting up housing, transportation and meals. She recruits students, coordinates funding and hosts a scholarship. For a service trip like this, it makes the situation more personal, and students have a chance to make a major difference.

“I think it really hits home, because it’s devastation right here within the United States, so they definitely have the ability to make a difference and leave a lasting imprint on this area that was hit so hard by a natural disaster,” Hardie said.

Hardie is in charge of organizing all service trips created and offered to students on campus, and she enjoys giving students the opportunity to serve throughout the community and the country.

“For me to be in this position, that’s what I love to do, as nerdy as that sounds I love to organize things, and I feel as if just by organizing an opportunity for students to participate in hurricane relief work, I am using my gifts and talents to serve others. I am just so blessed to be in this role, to offer these opportunities to our students,” Hardie said. “It’s just so great to see them serve within these opportunities.”

Hardie looks forward to the service trip in the new year and hopes students will as well.

“It’s always exciting to hear their stories when they come back,” Hardie said. “Many of these service trips have changed their lives. I’ve witnessed students change majors as a result of their experience on these trips, and I’m sure this service trip will be no different.”