BELTON—After Tropical Storm Hermine dumped rain on Central Texas, students from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor helped business and homeowners in the area clean up the damage caused by the storm. The Scott & White Hospice Thrift Store in Belton found its building filled with about 48 inches of water, said Amy Mesecke, a staff member at the thrift store.
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University of Mary Hardin-Baylor student Daniel Black, a sophomore from New Braunfels, works in The Book Exchange in Belton moving bookshelves away from walls to be treated for mold. The Book Exchange and many businesses in this area did not have flood insurance for the damages they sustained.
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“We had a total store loss. It took us about five days to get everything out and spray it down and get it cleaned,” Mesecke said.
Belton wasn’t the only town affected by the massive amounts of water. Salado, Nolanville, Temple and Holland also reported major damages from the flooding. Holland was without water for days, and homeowners in Salado were left with large amounts of mud and debris to be cleaned up.
UMHB Student body President Tommy Wilson and Shawn Shannon, Baptist Student Ministry director at UMHB, coordinated two days of volunteer work involving students in cleanup efforts.
“We’re giving a lot of help as far as cleaning and repairing, and we’re also building relationships,” Wilson said.
“Some believe that UMHB and Belton are two different entities. To me, being a part of one means being a part of the other. This demonstrates in a physical way that we want to be a part of the community. … We’re fellow Beltonians.”
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor senior Christian studies major Edwin Robinson assists with pulling off sheetrock at a flood-damaged home in Salado.
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More than 30 students and faculty members turned out for the first day of volunteer service. Some were sent to businesses in downtown Belton, some helped at the First Assembly of God Church in Belton, and others went to First Baptist Church of Salado to assist homeowners in that community.
Freshman Bethany Jenkins heard about the damages and wanted to help out in any way she could.
“I really felt God calling me and telling me to serve not only those that are in other countries, but also those that are in our own backyard,” Jenkins said. “I’m really glad we’re able to help out.”
Local businesses and homeowners were also happy to have the extra hands for all the work needed. Even as cleanup was still taking place at the Scott & White Hospice Thrift Store, donations already were arriving.
“You feel overwhelmed when you have so much to do. We have two trailers full of donations, so it’s great to have the extra help to keep us going,” Mesecke said.
“We have volunteers that come on a regular basis, but this in the first time we’ve had such a large group come out and help at one time. It definitely lifts your spirits.”
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