Morrison Heights and Mississippi College volunteers provide relief for St. Rose
By Chloe Newton
Two of the city’s own institutions – Morrison Heights Baptist Church and Mississippi College (MC) – have reached out to those affected by Hurricane Ida. Following the storm, a hurricane relief trailer was set up on MC’s campus from September 3 through September 9, encouraging nearby residents and students to bring specific items to be donated to the city of St. Rose in southern Louisiana.
Supplies such as water, non-perishable food items, paper products, and cleaning supplies were collected, organized and distributed by volunteers from both organizations to those in need. St. Rose Community Church received the donations on behalf of the city of St. Rose to sustain the needs of local residents.
“Morrison Heights has done this for several years, and we wanted Mississippi College students to be involved with this particular drive,” said Tim Rowan, associate pastor of missions at Morrison Heights.
The trailer has been staffed by student volunteers from noon to 7 p.m. each day; students say they were happy to serve since they, themselves, could not go to the suffering communities.
MC sophomore Sarah Hodson personally wanted to volunteer at the trailer, because her hometown of Raceland, Louisiana, (located in Lafourche Parish) was severely hit.
“When the hurricane hit my hometown, it hit as a Category 4, and the eye went directly over my home… They are without power until late September, no schools are open until early November, and there’s only one functioning hospital in the parish,” says Hodson.
Similarly, many MC students who have roots in cities located in southern Mississippi and Louisiana traveled home over Labor Day weekend to help clean up their own damaged houses. However, for Morrison Heights and MC, there stands a deeper purpose in holding this drive.
Rowan commented that the two organizations proudly act on behalf of the city of Clinton. Not only does the hurricane relief drive benefit those in southern Louisiana but also the citizens of Clinton. Hopefully, one day, should the circumstances be reversed, other communities will reciprocate the love and care displayed by this drive.
“As a church and Christian university, it is always good to help people in need, especially when they don’t have access to those things,” Rowan said, implying that there is a responsibility to aid hurting individuals and communities. “But, as Christians, we are called to serve others.”
