A resident of New Orleans (center) was very grateful to Hofstra students for helping to clear her property of debris. (Others from l to r) Hofstra students Olin Grant Parker, Slyse Dressler, Alice Dunn, Rachael Macisaac and Director of Student Activities Anita Ellis.

For a group of 16 Hofstra students, spring break was not about the beach and relaxing, but a chance to volunteer in the relief effort for the city of New Orleans, still devastated by last summer’s Hurricane Katrina. From April 6 to 12, three administrators joined these heroic students – who spanned all class years, majors and faiths – to help with the recovery and cleanup effort.

Working with Catholic Charities and Brother Martin High School in New Orleans, the Hofstra students tackled difficult jobs such as minor construction, cleaning of debris and providing hospitality to displaced families.

This “alternative spring break” was largely inspired by the Office of Student Activities and Director of Student Activities Anita Ellis, who was moved by the story of a single mother whose life was devastated by the storm.

Subsequently, the Dean of Students Office and the student organization Hofstra Concerts volunteered to provide transportation and housing for the Hofstra students. The students were responsible for their own meals and personal expenses. Hofstra’s Campus Catholic Parish and the Office of Student Activities took the lead in coordinating the trip. Other involved student organizations at Hofstra included the Student Government Association, Students for Life, the Newman Club and the Inter-fraternal Sororal Council. Many departments on campus, such as the President’s Office and the Offices for Development, Alumni Relations and University Relations, offered assistance.

Commerce Bank, which opened a branch in the Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center in February, helped underwrite the students’ efforts by presenting the Newman Club with a check for $1,000 to be used for this mission to New Orleans. With originally only 12 spots announced for students to volunteer, response was so overwhelming that – through additional fund-raising efforts – 16 students were accommodated. The students hosted a fund-raising reception at the Hofstra University Club on March 29. Proceeds from that event were used to benefit Catholic Charities, Brother Martin High School and also to purchase Home Depot gift cards that the students distributed to residents of New Orleans.