By: Kelly Anderson, Jasmine Hickey and Charles Jack

            For the past four weeks, Oak 6 was fortunate to be able to help with the Gulf of Mexico oil spill response down in Hancock County, MS.  The team members served as representatives for the Hancock County Volunteer Response Center, where they managed the volunteers and the opportunities available to them.  The main program they coordinated was the Coast Watch program, where volunteers walk the beach at dawn each morning looking for any signs of oil to report to the clean-up officials.  Oak 6 was also responsible for managing volunteer data, including volunteer intake, training new volunteers, and updating volunteer records.  “Working in Hancock County has been a truly amazing experience.  The community members here are so active, and to be assisting in such a horrifying disaster is an experience I will forever treasure,” said Sam Spears of Asheville, N.C. Before they left for Vinton last Friday, Oak 6 gave Maple 3 team members an orientation and training so they are able to take over the responsibility of the Volunteer Response Center.  Oak 6 is now back in Vinton, completing their serve year with an environmentally-focused project with the Benton County Conservation Board. 

 

Cedar 4 joined by members Stephanie Kasza and Griff Ryan-Roberts, originally of Cedar 7, are in Pensacola, Florida assisting with the oil spill recovery efforts. Late last week these members were pulled from their current projects in Mobile, Alabama and New Orleans, Louisiana to increase public awareness about the oil spill. They are currently devising mechanisms to inform local residents of the health risks of the oil spill. Community Information Stations have been created as a pilot project to accomplish this goal. Another responsibility of the Cedar 4 is to create awareness of volunteer and job opportunities related to the oil spill. In the Citizen Information Stations people are also told how to clean them selves if they come in physical contact with the oil in the water. Amber St. Vincent says “Receiving the information and driving out here in less than 24 hours has given me a whirlwind of emotions, but being here and seeing how receptive the community is to the information we are giving out has made me realize how much this service is needed. I am excited to have the opportunity to be here and help this cause.” Team leader Niko Valaris also has said “We are honored to be the team chosen to respond to this disaster and afforded the opportunity to make a difference in the gulf.”  Cedar 4 is returning to Vinton on July 23 to close out their service year with NCCC.