BUCKHANNON, W.Va. — A group of fifteen student-athletes and a coach from West Virginia Wesleyan College recently traveled south to help with ongoing relief efforts in West Virginia from the devastating June 2016 flood.
Representing women’s softball, track & field, and women’s lacrosse, the group of volunteers helped an elderly woman move her household possessions to a secure storage facility so that her flood-damaged home could be demolished and a brand new home built in its place.
The volunteers worked through rainy and cold conditions, helping to pack up remaining items out of the home for the moving truck. Their work was critical in meeting the timeline for new construction to begin.
As is often true, the survivor was elderly, frail, and still traumatized by her anticipation of losing her home which was soon to be demolished. Wesleyan students made a perfect team because of their personal skills and empathetic capacity to offer hope while getting the job done.
The WV United Methodist Disaster Relief Team is led by conference disaster coordinator, Rev Dan Lowther ‘07, assisted by executive director for long term recovery, J.F. Lacaria ’71 and former member of Wesleyan’s Board of Trustees.
Students at West Virginia Wesleyan College are strongly encouraged to serve others as part of their time as undergraduates, fulfilling the College’s mission to graduate students who will “demonstrate their local and world citizenship through service.”
Similarly, student-athletes at WVWC are also expected to volunteer through NCAA Division II standards, as the Division puts an emphasis on “a robust community engagement philosophy that integrates student-athletes within both their campus and regional communities.”
The Center for Community Engagement & Leadership Development at West Virginia Wesleyan College is always grateful for students that rise to meet the needs of the community. Community engagement and service are foundational to the West Virginia Wesleyan College experience.
Service scholarships are available for high school seniors with a background of leadership and service desiring to make a difference in the world. Scholarship applications are available at www.wvwc.edu with a priority deadline of February 1, 2020.
