Schreiner University and Austin College are two of the Presbyterian-related schools in the Synod of the Sun. Relief workers are welcome at the Volunteer Villages of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance throughout the year. Or make a donation to PDA.

Schreiner University students aid Galveston recovery

During the end-of-term break in January, Twenty-nine people gave up part of their holiday by going on a work trip to Galveston to assist in cleaning up the damage created by Hurricane Ike.

Twenty-three student volunteers were accompanied by Eldon Sheffer, Schreiner director of church relations, and five members of First Presbyterian Church of Kerrville: Stan Cobbs, Ken Bruner, Tommy Tait, Tom Stoner and Stuart Loehmeyer. The Rev. Gini Norris-Lane, campus minister, arranged the trip for January so the Schreiner group was among the earliest teams of volunteers.

The participants all felt that the trip was well worthwhile. Alyssa Fordyce mentioned that "I touched so many people's hearts and made new friends. I felt needed in life for a great cause."

"Schreiner's Campus Ministry is ecumenical," Sheffer said, "And I can't stress enough the ecumenical nature of this trip. The arrangements were made through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, we stayed with the faith-based group Good News Galveston, we worked under the guidance and direction of the United Methodist Committee of Relief and we worked on the Jerusalem Baptist Church."

Schreiner volunteers also worked on four private residences and a boat owned by a group that does global medical relief work.

The volunteers chipped linoleum from concrete floors, removed wall board, stripped walls to the studs. Working in four feet of standing water the group also dealt with mold problems, spraying a bleach solution on the stripped down walls. Because there was no electricity, the team was required to bring generators and light poles. They used shop vacs, but needed the generators to supply the necessary power.

In addition to the repair work, the group also pitched in to help Good News Galveston, assisting in the preparations for more guests by bringing more cots and moving supplies. The group also worked in the kitchen and shelter at Alamo Elementary School, which has been converted to a residence for faith based volunteer groups.