Benedict Day School students volunteer at tornado site, volunteer opportunities
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Benedict Day School volunteered their time Wednesday morning cleaning up the aftermath of the deadly twister.
The school said the minute it heard about the damage, it wanted to jump right in and help victims.
Science Teacher Trent Holliman said, “Yeah that’s what we always talk about at our school, education is important, academics are important, but it is more important to be a great citizen, to learn to be part of a community, and be part of a team.”
Students encouraged others to come out and volunteer. Sixth grader, Cade Ortego said, “It is very important that we help them, it is not their fault that a tornado came through here, we need to anything that we can to help their lives.”
If you would like to volunteer or donate you can contact the following institutions.
Monetary Donations:
The Greater PineBelt Community Foundation is accepting monetary donations to help those in need. Donations can be made directly through the website: www.PineBeltFoundation.org. Please indicate the name of the Fund in the message line.
The United Way of Southeast Mississippi is also accepting monetary donations, which can be made through their website: http://www.unitedwaysems.org/give.
Volunteering:
Volunteer Hattiesburg/United Way of Southeast MS is posting immediate needs, opportunities and donation collection points on their website and social media platforms - http://www.unitedwaysems.org and @unitedwaysems respectively.
Volunteers and volunteer groups alike should coordinate all activities through the two Volunteer Response Centers (VRC) so that response is most efficient. The following VRCs are open:
Hattiesburg VRC, coordinated by Volunteer Mississippi and the Knights of Columbus Location: East Jerusalem Baptist Church Address:410 S. Tipton St. Hattiesburg, MS 39401 Hours of Operation: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Phone: 601-606-3523 E-mail: vrchattiesburg@gmail.com
Petal Volunteer Response Center Location: Petal Civic Center Address: 712A S. Main Street, Petal Hours of Operation: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Phone: 601-606-7465 E-mail: vrcpetal@gmail.com
