Southeastern students turn out to help flood victims
Tuesday, August 23, 2016 
by: Rene Abadie
STUDENT VOLUNTEER - Southeastern senior Bridget Pierce of Bogalusa drags carpet from a home flooded in Albany. Students worked in teams helping to clean homes in nearby areas affected by the floods.
HAMMOND – More than 200 Southeastern Louisiana University students and student-athletes
showed their Lion pride when they organized into groups to help area residents who
suffered damages from the historic flooding.
The students turned their attention to helping residents by pulling out damaged
carpeting and furniture and starting the clean-up process in more than 100 area homes.
Students carted shovels, cleaning products, face masks and gloves as they organized
into car pools and caravans to get to homes throughout the region.
Senior Nicole Delesdernier of Metairie, a member of the track and field team,
said since there were no classes yet she could not see a better use of her time.
“After Katrina, my family got 15 inches of water in our house,” she recalled.
“I know what these people are going through.”
“Our friends back home are sweating and coping with all of this,” said Chadney
Jones of Zachary. “I just wanted to do what I could to help.”
“I am really happy with the turnout. With less than 24 hours of notice, these
students showed up in force,” said Associate Professor of Communication Amber Narro,
who helped coordinate the effort. “It was heartwarming to see so many students answer
the call to serve their community.”
In addition to helping with clean-up efforts, students and student-athletes also
volunteered to work at area shelters, packing supplies, helping with distribution
of donated items, and serving meals.
