Thanks • CSULB
students participating in the Alternative
Spring Break worked on rebuilding this
house in Lake Charles, La. Photo submitted
by Aaron Porras
Students opt for Alternative
Spring Break
By
Rakesia Johnson
and Katie Plourd
Online Forty-Niner
While most students spent their spring break partying and relaxing, more than
30 Cal State Long Beach students spent the break rebuilding Louisiana after
the devastation caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in September.
The group of 32 students, chosen by a selection committee from the American
Marketing Association, left Los Angeles April 8 and returned April 15.
The group’s first stop was in the city of Cameron Parish, La., off the
Gulf of Mexico.
Cameron suffered 90 percent devastation during Hurricane Katrina, according
to Aaron Porras, a senior political science major who participated in the event.
Porras said the group helped clear out debris in the city. They broke down
buildings that had been destroyed in the hurricane and moved the debris to
the side of the road so it was easier for trucks to haul the material away.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, AmeriCorps and a number of fire departments
from around the country also set up camp to assist with the recovery of the
town, Porras said.
The group then split up and helped rebuild two homes in Lake Charles, La.,
which was hit by Hurricane Rita.
“
It was challenging because I am not a handy-dandy guy,” said Othman Ramadan,
a senior journalism major. “But it was a fun challenge learning how to
do it.”
Porras and Ramadan worked together to reconstruct one of the houses, which
Ramadan said was a bonding experience.
The house the group worked on was not completely destroyed, but needed a lot
of fixing. Effects of flooding and water intrusion had damaged it. The group’s
focus included repairing insulation and rebuilding dry wall to the house, according
to Porras.
With no specials skills in house repair, the group was still shown gratitude
by the families.
“
The families were right there the whole time,” Porras said.
“
We became really attached to them.”
The familiy of the house Porras and Ramadan worked on constantly talked to
the students, cooked for them and offered what assistance they could with repairs.
“
The dad knew a little bit about construction,” Porras said.
“
He helped when he could.”
The oldest daughter of one of the families wrote a four-page thank you letter
expressing her appreciation. She”said the group was the answer to her
prayers.
Only one person in the town of Lake Charles died during the hurricane, according
to Porras. Residents learned from what happened during Katrina and were able
to evacuate, although the city still suffered destruction.
Porras jumped at the opportunity to volunteer for this event.
“
When everything was happening in September I wanted to do something to try
to help, but when I talked to the Red Cross they were kind of bogged down,” Porras
said.
“
When this came up I wanted to see it first hand and help with the rebuilding
effort.”
Porras said the entire experience was incredibly humbling and it was interesting
to compare how the media covered the disaster to how the area actually is.
“
It makes you feel how fortunate we are to live in Southern California and to
have perfect weather,” Porras said.
“
To stand in that town and see it and see the destruction, you get a sense and
a picture of what living there is actually like.”
For Porras the event was one he will never forget. He plans on returning to
the gulf area in June to continue with recovery efforts.
Ramadan said the experience was like no other.
“
I went to Hawaii last year for spring break,” he said. “I can’t
get from Hawaii what I got from this experience.”
The 32 students who attended the trip created a tight bond. They came as a
group and stayed together and worked as a group and made many friendships.
The families the group helped were incredibly appreciative of the help.
“
Seeing us give up [our] spring break really revitalized their hope,” Porras
said.
Cal State Long Beach AMA organized the volunteer trip to New Orleans. It was
lead by AMA Executive Outreach Coordinator Robin Watkins, associate professor
and English department Assistant Chairman Tim Caron, assistant dean Jean Caveness
and Assistant Director of Student Life and Development Brett Waterfield.
“
It really hit home how important and needed we were,” Watkins said. “This
is not going to be cleaned up in one year.”
AMA is a student organization dedicated to individuals involved a professional
practice through studying and teaching marketing. It is open to all majors,
but covers different aspects of marketing.
For the past decade AMA has traveled to New Orleans for intercollegiate conventions.
Because the organization visited the city frequently and built a personal connection,
they felt obligated to help the people affected by Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane
Rita.
Through donation and a benefit concert AMA raised $15,000 to the Hurricane
Relief Fund.
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