Nine Hamilton students traveled to Kure Beach, N. C., over winter break to help community members clean up houses that still have damage from Hurricane Florence. The Alternative Winter Break service trip worked with Community Collaborations International. Students built a fence for a horse pasture, cleaned out flooded shelves, packed belongings prior to house renovations, and dug a trench to help with rainwater drainage.
For some participants, it was their first time on a service trip through Hamilton's Alternative Breaks (AXB) organization, a service opportunity offered through Hamilton's Community Outreach & Opportunity Project. For others, it was an annual event. Susanna Yee ’19 had been on four AXB trips prior to this one.
She said of the North Carolina trip, "The people we met on this trip have taught me to remain positive in spite of the unfortunate situation and have shown me that it's okay to seek help from others. To be in that position to help these individuals was a humbling experience and something I will cherish and remember."
When the group was not working at sites, they enjoyed walks to the ocean and a trip to the aquarium. Students also spent time getting to know the members of the church that graciously opened their doors for the Hamilton group.
Throughout the week, they met grateful residents who thanked them for their help in cleaning up months after the hurricane.
