St. Augustine, Florida
February 2017
What We Did
The East Coast storms of 2016 found us in St. Augustine where, several months after the storm, a surprising number of residents were still suffering. From a number of elderly citizens who could not repair the damage to their homes (let alone even clean up the yard debris) to a popular restaurant owner who was sleeping in his restaurant and trying quietly on weekends to rebuild alone; and from a our “crack team” of special forces relief which struck a dozen locations in 48 hours to the blanket of students who descended on a farm to help orphaned horses, the work was widespread and extensive!
Key Details
Students 45 students Dates February 2017 Work Home salvage and demolition, tree removal and property clean-up
New Experiences and (Lasting) Lessons
Jocelyn Nitta, Alexandra Roberts, and Mackenzie Blackwell meet new opportunities, open hearts, and lasting lessons. This year is my third year coming onto this trip, and every time it is a completely new experience. I absolutely love coming on this trip, not just for...
New Friendships and Old Ones Rediscovered
Harrison Hyland, Josh Boal, and Claire Stanley relate the importance of the connections they've made amid the work and rain. I’m under a lot of pressure writing this blog. Mr. Chisnell and I got in a spat at the horse farm the other day so I need to earn his...
Hard Work and Harder Rains
Emily Belford and Isabella LaPorte work through the rain and mud to keep the job going. So far the weather has been comfortable enough for us to work in. But today it rained, A lot. My group is working on rebuilding fences and cleaning up the debris for a horse...
First Impressions and Lasting Ones
Maya Longe and Erin Thomas find how the smaller experiences make for both annoyance and pleasure. If I am going to be completely honest, I was more nervous than excited to go on the relief trip. This being my first year I wasn’t sure if I was going to enjoy myself....
A Foray for Fifty
The work this week will test the students–their endurance, their skills, and their perspectives of comfort. They will test their own efficacy.