As students made their return to Waynesburg University in mid-to-late August, Houston, Texas and its surrounding communities were evacuating as a result of Hurricane Harvey.

Two months have passed since then, and there is still work to be done to return Texas to what it was before the hurricane made landfall.

The Waynesburg University Center for Service Leadership announced plans to send a contingent to Texas to help with cleaning up damages. Partnering alongside All Hands, a volunteered based charity that helps with disaster relief, will give students the ability to make a difference in light of the recent hurricane, said Kelley Hardie, assistant dean of Student Services.

One of the core reasons that the trip is happening, Hardie said, is due to the number of students who expressed interest in wanting to help out in Texas.

“[The Center for Service Leadership] has been working super hard to organize a trip so students could make their way down to help with Harvey Relief efforts,” Hardie said.

Hardie has the trip scheduled to take place the week after classes let out for winter break, Dec.16 to 22. Hardie reassures that students will be home in time for Christmas and other holiday festivities.

This service trip is different than other trips that Hardie has helped plan.

“We are responding to immediate need,” Hardie said. “Other trips are planned in advance.”

The trip will cost $450, which includes airfare, transportation at the site, meals and lodging for students. Students will be staying at a local church in the community.”

Students will be working in Aransas Pass, Texas, an area three hours outside of Houston that was devastated by the hurricane.

“This is a very small, poor community that was one of the hardest hit places from the hurricane,” said Hardie. “It made landfall right next to the town.”

Carin Camp, campus security officer, and Kristen Stone, network analyst, will be the staff leaders for this trip, and will be working alongside the students.

For Camp, leading this trip is about more than just service – it was personal. Camp lived in Texas for 15 years.

“I have friends who lost everything,” Camp said.

Students interested in applying for the trip should contact Hardie or click on the service tab on myConnect for more details. There are 18 spots available for students.