Eighteen Hastings College students will travel to Luling, La., a community southwest of New Orleans, during spring break, March 18-26. Luling was hit by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

    Organized through the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), the trip is sponsored by Rev. Dr. Trace Haythorn, assistant professor of religion and director of the Vocation and Values Program, and his wife, Rev. Mary Stoops, spiritual life advocate.

    According to Haythorn, the Hastings College group will combine efforts with 45 other college students, most from Austin College in Sherman, Texas.

    "We will be cleaning out homes and doing some basic sheet rocking," Haythorn said. "Big G Ace Hardware in Hastings offered to provide us with a basic sheet rocking workshop before we leave."

    The group is soliciting monetary donations to buy necessary supplies once they get to Luling. Supplies include: sledge hammers, aprons, crow and pry bars, mops, buckets, hand saws, rubber mallets, etc.

    "Unlike other relief trips, we’re asked to buy our tools in Luling," Haythorn said. "This helps generate much needed cash in the community."

    Those interested in making a donation for the purchase of relief equipment should make checks payable to Hastings College, with "hurricane relief" in the memo, and send to Rev. Dr. Trace Haythorn, Hastings College, 817 N. Turner Ave., Hastings, NE 68901. Haythorn may also be reached at thaythorn@hastings.edu, or (402) 461-7769.

    Volunteers will live in a PDA tent city, which consists of temporary shelters designed to sleep 4-5 persons on cots, with meals and common shower accommodations provided for $10 per day. Individuals provide their own sleeping bags, mosquito nets and bug spray.

    Workers will be required to wear mold-level face masks, long pants and long-sleeved shirts, and may need to dispose of their clothing daily. Full-body plastic suits will be available for work in moldy conditions.

    "My goal for this trip is that students learn they can participate in programs like this at any time in their life," Haythorn said. "The PDA website offers an ongoing list of work team opportunities all over the United States. I’ve done mission work and volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, but this will be my first work with acute relief."