While most of her fellow St. Johnsbury Academy students spend their February vacation relaxing, senior Molly Cantore of St. Johnsbury plans to be working as a volunteer rebuilding Lafayette, Louisiana homes destroyed five years ago by Hurricane Katrina.
Cantore doesn’t plan to be working alone, however. She’s also recruiting other Academy students and adults for the project, which would include joining ongoing home reconstruction efforts led by the nationwide Habitat For Humanity organization.
“I’ve always been interested in volunteer work, but it’s usually been on a smaller scale, such as service projects with the Academy’s National Honor Society chapter, assisting the school’s athletic trainer, and volunteering at my church and the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center,” she said. “In this case, I saw a national need (to assist the hurricane victims) and I knew I wanted to give my services.”
The urge to help, which she first felt while the hurricane was still devastating the Gulf Coast, was further fueled by her uncle, Weather Channel meteorologist and “Storm Chaser” Jim Cantore.
“He was there when the hurricane hit and I watched all the coverage I could,” she said. “I experienced the hurricane vicariously through both his TV reports and the talks I had with him later.”
Cantore’s February effort, which is part of her senior Capstone research project, envisions a 15-member Academy team, composed of 12 students and 3 adults, departing for New Orleans February 19 and returning February 27 with no school days missed.
“It would be great if some students enrolled in building trades classes decided to help, but construction experience really isn’t necessary,” she said. “The type of students I’m looking for are simply ones who are respectful, mature, willing to work, and have a desire to help others.”
Work performed could be “anything from preparing foundations to painting,” she added, noting Habitat For Humanity projects are “usually done in stages.”
The team would work six of their seven full days in Louisiana with Saturday devoted to exploring the historical attractions and culture of New Orleans, including the World War II Museum and French Quarter.
Meanwhile, Cantore’s efforts to turn her plan into reality also focus on raising funds to help pay for it, most notably about $500 per person in roundtrip airfare. Lodging for the group wouldl be provided by Acadiana Cares, a non-profit organization recommended by Habitat for Humanity.
Fundraising efforts already completed or planned include a 50-50 raffle conducted at the Academy’s varsity girls basketball team’s first game of the season, a December 18 bottle drive, Holiday gift wrapping services, and an upcoming“Jazz Night” featuring the school’s Jazz Band and a New Orleans/Mardi Gras theme.
Academy veterans of a similar project described it as a life-changing experience for victims and volunteers alike.
Three years ago, Electricity & Electronics teacher Mike Bugbee and Career & Technical Education instructor Fran Cone helped lead a group of the school’s students in a post-hurricane Habitat For Humanity housing reconstruction project in Port Charlotte, Florida.
“Some of those students had never even really met before we left, and since the trip have become the best of friends,” Bugbee said. “For others, it was a real eye opener as to how good we have it compared to the people who have been through these tragedies. It also showed them how much people appreciated what they were doing and that this good is often overlooked because of all the bad issues involving teenagers.”