NEWS & PRESS RELEASES

Students, faculty, staff assist flood victims

Helping flood victims address a range of needs -- from tearing out drywall to disposing of heavily damaged goods -- was the focus of a special day for BBC&S students, faculty, and staff in September, with hundreds assisting affected residents in nearby Wyoming County, PA communities.

Northeastern Pennsylvania was particularly hard hit by the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee. More than 5,400 businesses and homes sustained flood-related damage in Wyoming, Luzerne, and Susquehanna counties alone, areas north and west of BBC&S' home Lackawanna County.

Volunteers drove from campus to Tunkhannock, Mehoopany, and other areas, with some traveling on buses rented by BBC&S and others in passenger vehicles and trucks. Some cleanup supplies and equipment, such as wheelbarrows and shovels, were brought from campus.

Watch a video about the day here.

Watch a local news report here.

See photos from the day here.

Those serving in the Tunkhannock area worked along downtown streets, not far from the now-calm Susquehanna River. A range of businesses and property owners were assisted.

"It was humbling because of the devastation," said Emily Gehman, a senior Counseling major from Oxford, MI. "I wasn't expecting to see a house completely destroyed on the inside. Everything was gone. It was sad."

Regular classes were cancelled for the day, enabling students, faculty, and staff to help with area relief and cleanup. BBC&S worked with the emergency agency as a starting point in tackling several cleanup efforts. The annual Community Appreciation Day, originally set for October 18, was moved to assist.

Baptist Bible College & Seminary offers an outstanding Christian education through on-campus, online, and other distance learning options. Students go beyond the ordinary, learning to learn and serve with excellence as they gain critical leadership and life skills.

To learn more, go to www.bbc.edu or call 570.586.2400.

Posted on: 9/22/2011 9:03:44 AM

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