This year’s annual group of students on Alternative Spring Break went to Houston to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey. Twenty four students from Behrend went for five days with four faculty advisors.

​

The volunteer work was organized through Operation Blessing. This organization coordinates a number of volunteer groups that come to the area to help those in need. Several Penn State campuses were represented and students from other universities on their spring breaks are continuing to help those in need.

​

“I felt a sort of moral obligation to participate in this trip when I first heard about the opportunity,” Will Taylor, Behrend’s Food Security Liaison said. “Secondly, I knew that the ASB trips at Behrend are very popular and there is a large applicant pool. Based on that level of interest, I figured the experience must be pretty powerful, so I went for that reason as well.”

​

Although Hurricane Harvey hit Houston in August, many people’s lives are still in disarray from the storm.

​

“A lot of people don’t know that there is still a really big issue down there. Some people haven’t even had their houses touched since the hurricane happened, which was months ago. Since the media showed that help was being given, many people were just kind of like ‘Okay, so everything is okay down there, we don’t have to worry about it anymore.’ But it’s kind of really the opposite of that,” said Celeste Makay, a sophomore environmental science major. Makay explained that everyday the groups hit a different site, and they weren’t even able to finish the work at each place. The students’ primary job was to tear out the water damaged parts of the houses and take out the garbage. Some of the students also went to food banks and animal shelters.

Ashlyn Kelly, a senior chemistry major, explained how many of the houses had a visible water line. Many of the houses sustained considerable water damage and were moldy. Students had to assess the state of the houses and give them the proper care. Kelly was also one of the students to go to the animal shelter to help out.

​

“After getting there, we realized that the animals need help too,” explained Kelly. “A lot of people put their dogs in shelters after the hurricane because they couldn’t take care of them.” The students organized the food storage room and played with the dogs.

​

Makay also explained how her and the other students learned how to use tools to gut the houses. The students learned physical skills and social skills. Everyday each group was randomized so that students could work with different students.

​

Kristopher Knorr, senior international business and finance double major, has gone on three Alternative Spring Break trips and he said this year was significantly different from the last two trips.

​

“I think my most memorable moment on the trip was just being able to help a woman named Miss Jones on the last day,” explained Knorr. “Even when she was at her lowest point, she was still raising people up.”

​

The students made connections with each other and with many of the people they helped. The students brought lunch and blankets for the homeowners.

​

“All of us worked really well together. None of us had a problem and by the end of it, because of that, we were all super close. We all talked and laughed the whole time,” said Makay. She also spoke to the connections that students made with the people they were helping. Many of these people were facing the emotional toll of seeing their homes ripped apart by strangers, and being able to connect with them helped them face this.

​

“The trip was one of the most powerful things I have ever experienced. I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again,” said Taylor. “If there is anyone reading who is even just considering participating in something like this, I would strongly encourage them to do so. There are plenty of opportunities at Behrend to help others and make a difference in the community, and the personal satisfaction it can bring is unparalleled.”

​

The Alternative Spring Break happens every year, but there are a variety of volunteer opportunities available on campus throughout the school year.