UNC Volunteers Spend Spring Break Restoring a Flooded Town
Many students flocked to sandy beaches for spring break. Nevertheless, a dedicated group from the University of North Carolina spent their week knee-deep in debris. They were rebuilding hope in Marshall, North Carolina.
“It feels good to be here and representing UNC,” said Anna Routh, a junior majoring in public policy and history. “The work we’re doing is so important, and I feel like I’m really able to contribute to something valuable while on break.”
Routh led 11 classmates in cleaning up remnants of Hurricane Helene’s destruction. The team, part of UNC’s APPLES Service-Learning Other Spring Break, focused on clearing debris and salvaging bricks for reconstruction efforts.
“There’s not many opportunities where you can go somewhere and be able to help a community out,” said Suchi Kona, a first-year biology major. “And not only are we helping — the community is also helping us learn, and it’s such a rewarding experience.”
Their hands-on efforts spanned multiple locations, from Marshall to Charlotte, assisting organizations fighting poverty and supporting veterans.
“We’re taking all of the bricks that are still whole so they can rebuild the wall and the buildings that were torn down by the storm,” explained Jillian Joyce, a junior environmental science major and trip co-leader. “Seeing other UNC students in our group of 12 — everyone decided to come here. No matter how individualist people can be, it says that people still care about their community and want to get out there and help.”
Mayor Aaron Haynie acknowledged the students’ impact, emphasizing the town’s ongoing recovery. “It’s a great thing for the town and to know that we haven’t been forgotten, especially almost going on six months in that people still care,” he said.
While a week wasn’t enough to restore everything, the volunteers left a lasting mark—not just in bricks, but in spirit.
Source:
- https://youtu.be/6SzMw1jfBpU?si=_6boORWJhImKqk62
- https://www.unc.edu/posts/2025/03/25/alternative-spring-break-teams-help-in-helene-recovery/
- https://chatgpt.com/
- https://app.pictory.ai/
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