Despite Hurricane Laura making landfall one month ago, its devastation still impacts many towns. One such town being Vinton, Louisiana. After Laura destroyed many of its homes, businesses, and the local high school, many residents still find it difficult to recover. Fortunately though, this upcoming week, the Student Council will launch its first community service drive of the year. Through it, they aim to help out the community’s local high schoolers.
“After everything that has happened this year, we know that school is a constant for us. And although our school year did not start out together, we are still together in some way,” said Antoinette Hernandez, the Student Council adviser. “Unfortunately, Vinton does not have that yet, so anything we can do for them to get there is what we want to do for them.”
During Klein Cain’s own inaugural year, Hurricane Harvey caused the campus to welcome in Lemm Elementary. This was due to Lemm Elementary’s campus flooding during Harvey. Inspired by this incident, the Student Council hopes that their Bringing a Storm of Service drive renews that same belief of helping others out. That belief being established from the very beginning of Klein Cain’s history.
“What I expect from this is, honestly, I really hope that everyone donates because there are people in need right now due to the hurricane,” said senior Madison Phantavong, president of the Student Council. “And I know, especially us, we know exactly how they feel.”
Currently, what the Student Council is looking for are essential items Vinton needs. Items such as clothing, school supplies, and food are a few out of the many others. The timeline for donating these items extending through to Sept. 30.
“We want to have all donations in by the 30th so we can sort the next two days and load up trucks and deliver that weekend,” said Hernandez. “There are opportunities [for loading up and delivering] to sign up through the website.”
For those wanting to donate, the Student Council has set up two stations inside the school. There, parents, students, faculty, as well as others wanting to contribute can drop off items whenever.
“The drives are going to be in the AP offices along with the front office so people from the community…can donate as well,” said Phanthavong.
By Oct. 3, when all items are finally delivered, the Student Council hopes that their drive would have been successful. Success meaning that Vinton’s efforts can shift more towards rebuilding their own town. Further, they also hope that what the Klein Cain community gains from the drive is a sense of purpose, empathy, and community.
“I think this is a great way to bring the community together,” said Phathavong. “And I think that Vinton, Louisiana, will be very thankful for it…[P]eople lost everything, so I hope everything goes well and we have nothing but good intentions.”
