Seven Fort Hays State University Tigers In Service volunteers traveled to Oklahoma on Aug.1 to help with tornado relief beginning in Moore, devastated by an EF5 tornado on May 20.
The students worked with the Serve Moore tornado relief and other volunteers to cut and move fallen trees from a resident’s yard.
Students traveled next to El Reno, a town hit by an EF5 tornado on May 31, to help Field of TEAMS, an organization focused on helping farmers who had land and crops destroyed by the tornado. Students removed debris from fields so the farmers would be able to plant their fall crops.
Arin Powers, one of the two Student Coordinators, told Hays Post that Tigers in Service goes out on “alternative weekends” where, instead of kicking back and taking a break, students give back by volunteering services in an area that needs it. Last spring, the group went to Alabama to help rebuild houses. This summer’s trip was the one to Oklahoma. The group plans on taking another two weekends this year. The exact location and time will depend on what happens in the future and where their service can be used.
Tigers in Service is a student organization of the Center for Civic Leadership that promotes community service and volunteerism among students by providing outreach opportunities through service projects in the broader community beyond the university campus.
Students who volunteered are listed by hometown, classification, and major.
GANZHOU, China: Wei (Vivi) Lai, a spring 2013 graduate with a Master of Science in communication .
HAYS: Christopher Cheroret, a spring 2013 graduate with a Master of Science in education.
HOLLAND, Mich.: Jen Verhagen, graduate student, organizational leadership.
OLATHE: Alec Weaver, junior, physics.
OMAHA, Neb.: Chris Ramsgard, junior, social work.
PERRYTON, Texas: Alma Hidalgo, graduate student, education (higher education student affairs).
WOODWARD, Okla.: Arin Powers, junior, management.