North Georgia Hosts Virginia Tech Wesley Foundation for Spring Break Service in Augusta
This week, the North Georgia Conference is honored to host students from the Virginia Tech Wesley Foundation as they spend their spring break serving in the Augusta area following Hurricane Helene. The students are working multiple sites doing debris cleanup and recovery work with nearby Marvin UMC serving as their basecamp.
Their visit is deeply meaningful to the Augusta community. Ryan Clark, a Virginia Tech senior from Augusta was among the 31 lives lost in the Virginia Tech Massacre in 2007. Remembered as a hero, Ryan’s legacy continues through the Ryan Clark Scholarship, established by his family.
On Tuesday, Ryan Clark’s mother, Letitie Clark, visited with the students, offering encouragement and appreciation. She noted that being with them is a full circle moment. During his time at Virginia Tech, Ryan traveled to Louisiana to volunteer with Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts.
"This visit has been beyond expectations," said Rev. Scott Parrish, Conference Disaster Response Coordinator.
Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson expressed his appreciation for the students.
“This morning, my team had the honor of welcoming students from United Methodist Campus Ministries at Virginia Tech, who are spending their spring break assisting Augusta with Hurricane Helene recovery efforts," he wrote. "These students will be clearing debris, putting up sheetrock, and serving with Golden Harvest Food Bank. We are incredibly grateful for their dedication to giving back during their break.”
The visit has drawn local media attention, including TV, radio, and newspaper coverage. Watch a report from WJBF 6, the local ABC affiliate.
The North Georgia Conference long-term recovery phase is well underway in the three-county Augusta area where Hurricane Helene caused major damage. In March alone, we are welcoming teams from the Michigan Conference, the Susquehanna Conference, faithful volunteers from Roswell UMC, and of course, the Virginia Tech Wesley Foundation.
If your church would like to send a team or individual to serve in Augusta, please visit www.ngumc.org/longtermrecovery. To make a donation to Conference Disaster Response visit www.ngumc.org/give.
—Sybil Davidson