Rebuilding in the Bayou

Welcome to Bayou La Batre, where the shrimp is served in plastic bins with the eyes, heads and legs intact.

About 45 students hit the road last week during spring break, traveling 13 hours south to the shrimp capital of Alabama, Bayou La Batre, with the intent of helping those in need. Instead of staying home and watching reruns on TV, they spent Friday March 9 to Sunday March 18 knuckled down painting fire hydrants, refurnishing houses, demolishing broken down trailers, repairing roofs and cleaning up local parks.

"This was one of the best weeks I have ever participated in," said Adam Williams, a senior communications major, via e-mail. "It was the first time I went somewhere on spring break and I definitely do not regret it."

The small town of Bayou La Batre, population 6,000, was hit by Hurricane Katrina in September 2005, and has been slowly rebuilding ever since. UB students with the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship group joined in on the continued efforts to help get the town back on its feet, sleeping in the Bayou La Batre Community Center and working with the local fire department. Last year, the group ventured to New Orleans.

"It's tiring but fun," said John Coles, a sophomore industrial engineering and systems major. "Keep things in perspective and set realistic goals, and you'll feel like you've done something."

Every task was equally important to the town, even something as simple as repainting the fire hydrants red and white (or as the Southerner's say, "fire plugs"). Their work helped lower the insurance rates in the flood-ravaged town, stated Mike Robinson, a sophomore mechanical engineering major via e-mail.

As a souvenir, the same group of students made T-shirts that say, "I'd rather be painting fire plugs."

After the work was done for the day, volunteers had time for fun. The 77-degree weather allowed them to lounge on the beach and take late night runs for burgers and shakes. Pick up games of basketball, soccer and Mafia with students from Carroll University and Marquette University, both schools in Wisconsin, helped to remind them they were still in break.

One of the highlights of the trip, as can be seen on YouTube, was an impromptu talent show, when Nate Schutt, Rich Resig, Adam Williams and TJ Burns performed "In Bayou La Batre" to the tune of "I Want it That Way" by the Backstreet Boys. The crowd roared with laughter, and awards were given to the participants.

When everything has been swept away by an act of nature, simple acts of kindness mean the most.

"It's amazing what helping other people can do for your spirit and your own personal joy," said Rebekah Brown, a freshman dance major.

Brown worked on restoring the home of an expectant couple during her visit, even climbing onto the roof to replace much needed shingles, something she never imagined herself doing. They also replaced ceilings, painted the trim and power washed the outside. Another group repaired the plumbing and patched up holes.

The couple who owned the home brought their two day old infant home for the first time sometime Friday. A fully renovated home was the best gift the volunteers could have ever given the parents, who worked full time and didn't have the time or resources to finish the projects themselves.

"You can make a lasting impact on people's lives, and form friendships that will last a life time," said Brian Tofflemire in an e-mail.

Their work did not go unnoticed - everyone was welcoming and appreciated the help, Brown said. The local fire department even made the group a fried feast, consisting of fried oysters, chicken fingers and tater tots, said Jenna Curry, a freshman physics major.

Some even went the extra mile to help others in the spirit of the trip. Brian Tofflemire, the InterVarsity club advisor and national representative for the Buffalo chapters, bought supplies with his own money to fix a broken septic pipe, even though the lady who owned the house told him he didn't have to.

"There is no doubt that we will host another spring break trip next year," Tofflemire said. "While students have to make sacrifices to go on a spring break trip, like being away from family and giving up needed rest and sleep, the rewards are immeasurable."