For Immediate Release —May 14, 2009
Contact:
David
Irwin
Media Relations Manager
(585) 245-5516
irwin@geneseo.edu
Livingston
County CARES Organization to Embark On 15th Trip to Help Hurricane
Katrina Victims
GENESEO,
N.Y. – A group of 23 students from the State University of New York at Geneseo and five others from the college faculty and local
community will leave May 17 for Harrison County in Mississippi to continue
relief and recovery efforts for people displaced by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
It will
be the 15th trip to the area by the Livingston County CARES
organization, a collaborative effort among groups and organizations at SUNY Geneseo and the Livingston County community that started
shortly after the devastating hurricane hit.
To date, 398 volunteers from the organization have gone to the area on
work trips.
“Our
greatest effort has been helping families rebuild their houses,” said Tom
Matthews, director of leadership, educational development and training at SUNY Geneseo and chair of Livingston County CARES. “We have worked on more than 30 houses.”
Matthews
said many people in the area would still be out of their homes if it weren’t
for the great number of volunteer organizations like Livingston County CARES
who have put in countless hours to help.
“Many of the homeowners didn’t have enough insurance to begin to rebuild
so the volunteers have made a big difference,” said Matthews, who is making his
fifth trip with the group. “The people
are always very grateful when we arrive.”
Volunteer
organizations take direction from a host agency in Mississippi on where they
will work. “We have been working
primarily in the Biloxi area and have established a good relationship with the
people there and with Harrison County officials,” said Matthews. “They appreciate that we aren’t in-and-out
for a one-time effort but are committed until the job is done.”
Matthews
said that students who go on the work trips get real-world experience on the
meaning of civic engagement. “They are
taking the time to make a positive impact on people’s lives and their
communities,” said Matthews. “They will
carry such commitment with them the rest of their lives.”
Livingston
County CARES has additional work trips planned in Mississippi in the winter and
spring of 2010.