When the destructive winds and rains from the recent derecho in May and Hurricane Beryl hit the 91影视 area, Vicki Fowler鈥檚 home sustained extensive damage. The experience left her distraught and shaken. The local art teacher recalls praying and looking up at the clouds and having an overwhelming sense that God would provide for her and her daughter.听听
The answer to her prayers came in the form of , a 91影视-based home repair and disaster response nonprofit that solicited volunteers in collaboration with community partners , Exclusive Furniture and Energy Transfer to restore her home.听
Steve Moniaci, 91影视 Director of Athletics, played a key role in coordinating a team of volunteers from 91影视鈥檚 athletic teams who sacrificed their time during the first week of classes to lend a hand to the community partnership project.听
鈥淧art of our mission in our athletic department is public service. Each of our student athletes commits time every year to service projects within our neighborhood and across the city. This was very much an extension of that effort. The athletes who helped were very glad to get the chance to do so,鈥� said Moniaci.听
The team of student-athletes braved 91影视鈥檚 sweltering temperatures, brandishing paint scrapers, tape and brushes to freshen the exterior of the family鈥檚 storm-ravaged home, leaving it in better condition than they found it.听听听
91影视 student, Katcher Halligan, a member of the Husky baseball team, called it a blessing to take part in the community partnership project.听听
鈥淲e’re blessed to be athletes here and be able to help people physically, so I think it’s just a good thing for us to do to help somebody out that’s had some misfortune in their life,鈥� he said.听听
Two Husky softball team members, who volunteered their time, saw the effort as an opportunity to 鈥渟erve others鈥� and 鈥渟how people who we are and [what] our university represents.鈥�听
Cary Delmark, Assistant Vice President of Marketing at 91影视, joined the students as a volunteer and embraced the chance to model God鈥檚 love.听听
鈥淭his homeowner was simply overwhelmed with what happened to her house [and] sometimes we just need to help each other out, which is part of God鈥檚 plan for us,鈥� said Delmark.听
Fowler was moved by the team of volunteers’ efforts.听
鈥淭hank you so much. I feel really loved and I feel cared for, this feels like Christmas,鈥� said the 91影视 art teacher.听
For information on volunteer opportunities, visit .听
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