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Auggies find devastation and hope in New Orleans

Brianna Radloff works with preschool aged children at Head Start. Courtesy Kristin Farrell
Brianna Radloff works with preschool aged children at Head Start. Courtesy Kristin Farrell

While spring break may have brought a streak of “warm” weather to Minnesota, it certainly could not compare to the warmth experienced by Auggies in New Orleans. Thirty students and staff spent the week in the Crescent City doing service work and experiencing the destruction that remains and optimism that prevails in this remarkable city.

We arrived on March 13 to Camp Restore, a Lutheran volunteer camp that connects volunteers to a variety of service projects in the city. We settled into our bunks in the boxcars at Camp Restore to get ready for the week of work ahead. Throughout the week we painted, put in insulation and dry wall, helped at a horse ranch, and worked with kids. Continue reading “Auggies find devastation and hope in New Orleans”

Talking, learning, and pedaling with peace in New Orleans

pedal“There is absolutely no way 15 bikes are going to fit on one bus,” the Greyhound lady told us, her hair standing on end like an aggravated feline. It was early morning on March 15. We stood at the bus, laden with our luggage, equipment and tents.

“We” were the Pedalers for Peace, and this was the all-too-appropriate beginning to what turned out to be the most unpredictable and completely eye-opening spring break.

The initial plan was simple — 13 students, one advisor, and their bikes would travel to New Orleans and tackle the 100-mile road to Biloxi, Mississippi. The idea was to camp and volunteer along the way. But the Greyhound lady took that plan out of the realm of possibility, so we turned to Plan B. Continue reading “Talking, learning, and pedaling with peace in New Orleans”