OFFERING A HELPING HAND IN A TIME OF NEED IN NEW ORLEANS

By Jeff Hanouille, Westfield State Athletics Department Intern  

It's been close to a year and a half since Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast, and students from Westfield State and other colleges have not forgotten to lend a helping hand.

Five Westfield State students (including four varsity athletes) - Ali Rheaume, Alyssa Wesoly, Kelly McKeon, Colleen Geary, and Leo Loughman - accompanied movement science professor Dr. Diana Schwartz to New Orleans on a four-day trip. It was a joint venture with students from Eastern Connecticut State University and their chaperone, Dr. Charlie Chatterton.

Schwartz and Chatterton are the NCAA faculty athlete representatives (FAR) at their respective colleges. Both had visited New Orleans previously for the NCAA's faculty athlete representatives' association (FARA) forum and they felt a strong desire to return, this time with students.

Prior to the trip, the students read "One Dead in the Attic" by Chris Rose. The book is a collection of stories describing life in New Orleans for the first four harrowing months after Katrina.

"We thought it would be a good idea to read the book to get an idea of what it is like down there," Schwartz said.

Westfield State junior Colleen Geary said the book helped her get an idea of what to expect.

"It really painted a different picture from what the media portrayed," Geary, a cross country athlete said.

The group arrived in New Orleans on Feb. 23 and stayed at the University of New Orleans (UNO) in the residence hall. One of the first things they did was take a tour of some of the most impacted areas in the city, including the Ninth Ward.

"It was an incredible experience," said Schwartz. "Entire neighborhoods were devastated. You could still see the water lines on the houses and the spray paint from the National Guard."

"The neighborhoods were devastated," Geary said. "We even saw a boat on the side of the road."

Schwartz said she saw a Six Flags amusement park in the area that was completely empty, still closed after suffering significant damage from the hurricane. "It was one of the eeriest things I've ever seen," Schwartz said.

Down the street from UNO, Schwartz said there was a Burger King, Popeyes, and Taco Bell, and of the three only the Burger King was open.

"If big chains haven't been able to recover how are the smaller businesses expected to reopen," said Schwartz. "The dollars just aren't there, and that's tough."

After their tour, the group was treated to a pasta dinner at UNO and then watched the women's basketball team play a game against University of Louisiana-Monroe.

"They treated us very well," Schwartz said.

The next day, Chatterton ran in the Mardi Gras marathon to bring awareness to poverty. All of the students either ran or worked during the race.

"There weren't a lot of volunteers," Geary said. "So it was a rewarding experience to help out."

From there, the students did volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity. "We worked on a house. We did a little bit of roofing, siding, and framing," Schwartz said.

One place that was really hurt by Katrina was City Park, located in the heart of New Orleans' mid-city. Occupying 1300 acres, the park offers natural attractions, an amusement park, playgrounds, and areas for bikers, joggers, and walkers.

"They lost everything," said Schwartz. "We really wanted to help them out."

Through fundraising efforts, Westfield State and Eastern Connecticut State donated $1400 to help City Park recover.

"Seeing the joy we brought to City Park was just unbelievable," Geary said.

"They went from 100 employees to 23, so it was great to give them that money," said Schwartz.
The two groups left Louisiana on Feb. 27, taking with them an unforgettable experience.

"The trip went as well as any trip could have gone," Schwartz said. "The students will be able to tell their kids about this trip and their experience."

"Anyone and everyone should take a trip to New Orleans," Geary said.