Hurricane Relief and a Culture of Service with MDS

Our students are deeply engaged in a culture of service. Through their churches, service organizations, and our school, they have abundant opportunities to give back and learn skills that are useful from building projects to immediate disaster relief efforts. When Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) reached out after the hurricanes and severe flooding this fall, we knew our students, teachers, and families would be eager to volunteer their time for cleanup efforts. Our Head of School, Paul Leaman, and two students Lya and Isaac share some of their experience working with MDS this fall. 

Paul’s Story:
Pulaski, VA, is the lowest socio-economic county in the state, marked by its rural and mountainous terrain. The New River flows through this region, connected to a hydroelectric dam that helps regulate river levels. Anticipating a hurricane, officials chose to lower the reservoir levels, believing they could manage the added rain. However, the river, situated far from homes and at least 20 feet lower in elevation, began to rise unexpectedly. As dusk approached and light rain fell, residents, unfamiliar with evacuation, faced a new reality as the river continued to rise beyond levels ever experienced.

Water seeped into backyards before reaching the front yards, quickly encircling residents in floodwaters. Uncertainty loomed as water crept into crawl spaces, prompting many to decide whether to stay or leave. Eventually, numerous residents opted to evacuate, navigating the darkness while carrying their pets. By midnight, the water had risen to chest height, forcing them to climb up a mountain for safety. Many of these individuals were elderly and had limited mobility. Inside their homes, water levels reached 2 to 3 feet deep, and with no cell service in the area, belongings on the lower floors were ruined—beds, furniture, and chairs were all submerged in muddy silt from the flooding.

MDS partners with local emergency personnel to help those in greatest need, particularly focusing on the elderly and physically challenged. Currently, they are working on two homes, assessing what can be salvaged and what must be discarded. In one home, paneling was removed, and efforts were underway to dry the interior. Water had collected in the crawlspace, leading volunteers to cut out and remove soaked insulation and silt.

MDS and EMS have formed a partnership through an MDS class. Woody Driver, the Shenandoah Valley MDS regional coordinator, reached out to gather a group of volunteers through EMS. Five different volunteer groups, including students and parents, have stepped forward to lend their time and energy.

Lya’s Story:
When I received the email, I thought it presented an intriguing opportunity. My dad was excited to join, as he has a passion for carpentry and wanted us to participate. Growing up in North Carolina, near areas affected by hurricanes, helping with repairs felt especially meaningful to me.

Much of our work involved clearing out the space beneath a house and removing the insulation. It looked like a giant stuffed animal being torn apart—that’s how it appeared down there.

Hearing the stories from the residents we were helping was captivating, particularly how they managed to escape with their pets, struggling up the back hill. Their neighbor had to come to their aid, as the water had risen to their windows.

One memorable moment was when all the kids in MDS pooled their money to see Martin Trotter jump into the river afterward. He was covered in fiberglass and river mud, and he was quite a sight!

Overall, it was a fun trip and a valuable learning experience. I discovered just how heavy soaked insulation can be and learned to avoid taking a shower right after dealing with fiberglass—it tends to end up in your face!

Isaac’s Story:
Last year, MDS was one of the E-term options, and I found it to be a lot of fun, so I was excited to join again. I received an email about helping with hurricane cleanup, which sounded like a fantastic opportunity.

During my time there, we focused on removing insulation from a flooded crawlspace. The water had damaged everything, making it essential to clear it out so that it could dry properly.

I will always remember the gratitude shown by the residents of the house and the surrounding neighborhood. They welcomed us with open arms.

I also learned that there are rewards to work for beyond monetary ones.

With service opportunities and experiential learning woven into our curriculum, education at Eastern Mennonite is well-prepared to respond promptly when needs arise. This approach reinforces the values we aspire for our students and community to uphold. Ultimately, our goal is to cultivate a community that loves its neighbors as much as itself. When the call for help comes, we are ready to respond.

Thank you to Paul, Isaac, and Lya for sharing your stories and for your willingness to help!