BOONE, N.C. — Nearly three weeks after Hurricane Helene hit Boone, Appalachian State University welcomed its students back to campus — and they returned with a desire to serve.
On Saturday, Oct. 19, App State’s Office of Community-Engaged Leadership held its Student Day of Service – Together We Are Mountain Strong event, coordinating the volunteer work of around 175 students who collectively completed over 500 hours of community service at 15 organizations and locations across the High Country.
All volunteer work directly benefited hurricane relief and recovery efforts in local communities, with students providing services in a variety of ways, from river and trail cleanups to sorting relief supplies at distribution centers.
“Volunteering means being a part of something bigger than yourself, and I think it’s important for everyone to try it at some point,” said student volunteer Rebekah Payne. “It always feels refreshing to make a positive impact on the community.”
Payne, a junior ecology, evolution and environmental biology major from Jacksonville, worked with Blue Ridge Conservancy in the Paddy Mountain area in West Jefferson to help clean up hiking trails by raking leaves and clearing limbs from downed trees.