Reflections on the Trip - Cameron Ziegenfuss

Life changing. That's all I can say about the trip. I could try to tell all of the stories and experiences I had, but it's almost something you had to be there for. What I wanted to write to you all about is the aftermath of this experience we shared this week. As far as I know, many of you want to go back already, and many of you want to serve your own communities.

To tell you the truth, I've been on 2 trips like this before. Everyone gets an emotional high when they're at the camp for a week, working with fun people, hanging out with kids their age. It's easy to get caught up in it. We're all ready to go out and do something to change the world.

Fact is...most of the time, that high wears off after a few weeks.

This is a personal challenge to all of you. Don't let this emotion wear off just because you're back to your normal lives. There's so many way you can get involved in your own community. You don't even have to start your own group. There are tons of organizations that have already been established. Not all the service projects are going to be the same as what we did. They could include serving food to homeless people, raising money for a charity, collecting cans of food or clothes, ringing a bell in front of a store during the holidays, going to your local United Way and asking how you can help, stuffing envelopes for mass mailings for non-profit organizations, and donating blood.

Anything you can do will help.

So basically...don't just talk...actually do something.

In closing, I'd like to quote a song from a band called "Thrice". It goes like this:
Rhetoric can't raise the dead
I'm sick of always talking when there's no change
Rhetoric can't raise the dead
I'm sick of empty words
Let's LEAD, not follow

It'd be sweet to try to get a network together of all of us, so we can keep each other updated on what we're doing, and also to help each other with ideas for what we could do. There's a group on Myspace.com called "Storm Corps 2006". Go join it, and post some topics and stuff.

Peace out,
Cameron, Storm Corps participant

p.s. Please click on the "Comments" link immediately below to read reflections on the trip from Storm Corps participants.

Comments

[Gabe]

Storm Corps -- Hoo rah.

You all are a phenomenal group of young people. It was a pleasure to be around you and share in your compassion and exuberance (even if someone tried to burn me in effigy, without the effigy part).

[Cody Roberts]

I had an awesome time. It couldn't have been better! It is a great feeling to have done something productive and positive over spring break. Everyone did an awesome job and it was the best experience of my life!

[Jacob Weitz]

It is really hard to describe what an amazing experience storm corps was. Everyday presented a new challenge and had a life lesson to be learned. When people ask me how my break was, there is no one word i will be able to use to describe how 5 days in the 21 years i have been alive, changed my life forever. The people Alabama crew i spent the week with were unique in so many different ways, which is why i believe we got so much work done in our short time there. I could go on for pages and pages about each person i met and how i learned something different from each person, but i will spare you all the drama. The bottom line is, i would not trade this past week for anything in the world. I hope with all my heart that we can all get together again and do something similar, maybe even bigger. In the mean time if anyone is ever in VA, or around DC feel free to give me a call!! Yall take care.

Jake

P.S. Mellow But Strong Rules!

[Fletcher Burkhardt]

Man i can't belive Jacob just said ya'll......haha! But ya this past week has been the best week of my life! I have met some of the coolest people i think i could have ever met! I hate the fact that we all live so far from each other and stuff but i am 100% positive that we will all keep in touch! I want everone to know that i truly care about all of you all and that i had such a great time and like jacob said it is unexplainable! I miss everone already and i mean i actually cried.......and i am for sure not a crier! haha talk to you all so so so soon. I hope everyone had an awesome flights! From me to you....i love you guys!

[Tiffany Beaudry]

The first time I went down to the gulf, it changed my major. This trip changed my life. To all the non-southerners, please hold you ground and do not fall into saying ya'll. Thanks to everyone for giving me this amazing experience. Amanda- I love ya and we will stay in touch. I can't wait to see eveyone again. I really hope that everyone follows thier dreams and always remember to exhale your expectations.

Tiffany
Animal House

[Frank Ortiz]

I'm a bit late on the comments but i want to thank every person involved in this project from the directors to the participants. I made some livelong friends down there. I can't believe how much my life has changed as a result of this experience. I hope we do follow up this summer and get together for a reunion. Like Fletcher said, I'm not a crier but as i was driving I heard some of the songs we jammed out to and couldn't help ballin. Thanx for the floppy doggin memories, "THE CD", and all the memories.
Long Live THE LOVE SHACK!!!!!

Love Frank Ortiz

[Liam Gale]

this week was so inspirational and gratifying. I cant believe that it is all over. Im going to miss everyone from the Alabama crew. You all have helped me become a better person. We grew so close over this one week which is amazing to me. Thank you all for everything. Keep in touch. This is not a good bye; this is a see you soon!

[Jessica Wolford]

Wow, where can I begin?!? My experience in Biloxi was awesome. I never knew what to expect, but I was blown away when I got there. Seeing the people's faces that we helped and walking down the street to have people stop us to say thanks, was all that I ever needed. This experience was life changing for me. It opened my eyes to a world where not everyone is like the movies. It showed me more of the real world. To the friends I made, I will never ever forget the memories we made & the memories yet to come. I wouldnt have traded this spring break for any spring break in the world. Thanks United Way & MTV for making this possible. Oh and last but not least, the gang of Hands On, you Rocked It! I will be seeing you soon
Love Jessica Wolford---Louisiana

[Tessa Hoerner (TEXAS)]

WOW. What an experience. This week I got such a different perspective on life, people, and myself. I was given an amazing opportunity that became one of the greatest experiences of my life. Thank y'all for being a part of this wonderful journey with me. I will be forever grateful to each and every one of you. In just a matter of days, I have made friends that I will recall this experience with years down the road. Let's remember that it does not end here. I wish all of you the best in everything, and I know you will all do big things. I will treasure these memories forever, and I know I will see y'all again! Be the change you want to see in the world!

Love,
Tessa "Tex" Hoerner

Bama Forever & Rave on!

P.S. - You Northerners, y'all is a contraction of the words you and all; therefore, y'all not ya'll. :)

[Cody Roberts]

Let's remember that this is not the end, but the beginning!

[Sierra]

I had the time of my life on this trip... I cant begin to tell all the stories I got from the people of Biloxi, MS and all the wonderful people that I met this week. Im gonna miss all of yo and I hope that we all keep in touch... Hotpinkwires@yahoo.com
Sierra

[Brian Pham (CHUBBY BUNNIE!!!)]

Wow... (I had like a 5 min pause after that, bc I dont know where to start). Like I said, in front of the Commisoner, We kicked some ass! Seriously, do you guys even remember what Mary's house (A-Town crew) looked like before? Remember how weak the roof was? How empty the house was? Now it's full of sheet rock, sturdy floors, a solid roof, and most of all, it's filled with our love. Not only Mary's house, but all of Alabama and Mississippi is filled with our love. We left a mark... a mark that'll be there for years to come. Just think about all of the volunteers after us... how they'll compare there work to ours... to our little crew of 100.

Don't forget to volunteer in your hometowns. Do something small, something big, do something. Everything counts and adds up. Not only will you be contributing to all things good, but you'll have to the opportunity to meet awesome people. Don't be afraid to join groups by yourself when your friends wont join with you. Everyone, don't be afraid to put yourself out there...just remember, if you didn't put yourself out there during 'Storm Corps Week' you wouldn't have experienced half of the fulfilling self-gratitude...and wouldn't have came home with nearly as many friends.

I love you guys, and I hope everyone does well in whatever they choose to do. Don't just say you'll keep in touch, ACTUALLY DO IT! I'll be working on some type of networking thing for us in the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned.

Brian/Kenny Pham (Baltimore MD)
KennyPham@gmail.com
4436002829 (cell)
http://www.myspace.com/vietblackboi

PS- If you dont have a myspace, get one! Just make one so you can look at everyone elses. Just post some pics from Storm Corps in your profile and fill out the essential bio info. Not all of us can get Facebook, but everyone can get Myspace.

[Sabrina Seymour]

Hey guys! It's Alaska. Just wanted to say hi and that i miss y'all. I had the time of my life with everybody. I'll never forget the memories, the laughter, the tears, everything. Hope everyone is doing well.
Love always,
Alaska
Roofing crew kicked ass!

[Scott Dennison]

I like the quote from Thrice in the opening post above. We can all go on and on with our rhetoric for others to read and with our spoken words to friends and family about the devistation, but it is impossible to put into perspective for those who haven't seen it first hand. So for those of you reading this who weren't a part of this Storm Corps and are hoping to become a member of future groups, don't let us continue to be "sick of talking when there is no change". Get up, get out, and DO. We all did and I can say now that I am a better person for it. And that the Gulf Coast is on its way to becoming a better place for it.

By reading the posts so far you can easily see how life changing it is for the volunteers, but you can't see how life changing it is for the residents in need until you put a new roof on their house or begin rebuilding its interior and see the look of hope on their faces or have them invite you to a lunch of infamous Mississippi gumbo and crawfish. Don't just take our word for it that this is a life changing experience; go witness it first hand. I just hope that you get a group as caring, helpful, friendly, hardworking, and compassionate as the 2006 Storm Corps group. But don't worry, with organizations like United Way and Hands on leading the way, that shouldn't be a problem.

To the 2006 Storm Corps members... The real work now begins. Get out there and spread the word of our awesome experiences. For me, it started as soon as I got on the plane to come home and sat down next to a girl about my age. By the time we had landed I was giving her phone numbers to call and websites to visit so she could volunteer. Let's continue to change lives.

Ya'll (yes I just said ya'll) are awesome and I am truly honored to be able to say that I was part of such a incredible group.

[Amanda Case]

I don't even know where to start!! This past week I have experienced so many different emotions. The connection between the Alabama Crew was amazing. We accomplished so much... It is so uplifting to know that there were at least 100 young college students willing to give up a week to rebuild the Gulf Coast, and to help rebuild a new beginning to those who may have lost a piece of their lives. You are all an inspiration to me, and I will never forget ANY of you. WE are all individual leaders who knew when to step down and work as a team. I hope to see you all again!! Tiff- I love ya girl, and I will be seeing you soon! To all of you behind OPERATION GUARDIAN ANGEL: YOU FAILED MISERABLY HA! HA! Long live team Alabama, I miss you and love you all! -UtAh!!

[Jenn]

I just wanted to thank all of you participants for making this trip the best "business" trip I could have taken. I know you heard it all at the love fest but honestly, when I was your age (where's my walker)I don't know if I would have given up a week of lounging around on ym fat @ss to help those who need helping.

You all were amazing -- and a huge shout-out to my team, SLEDGEHAMMER!!!!!! You all killed it and I am proud of each and every one of you. Ms. Betty thanks you, Bessie thanked you, and now I am thanking you. You all gave it 110%. Remember to keep in touch -- FOR REAL, NOT FOR FAKE. My email is linked.

If I had to sum up this trip in one word (thanks Tim!) it would be EDUCATIONAL. Why? Well, I learned what it was like to go from nothing to something. To go from clean to dirty. To communicate with people I didn't know or have anything in common with. To eat chicken on a bone. To go without much sleep. To learn how to adapt.

And now, for the top 4 things I learned on this trip:

4. It's an aspirator, and you should wear it at all times. Oh, and goggles too! (hi Scott!)

3. FAT MAX is a crowbar, not a person.

2. The biggest cockroaches live in Mississippi.

1. Drywall sucks, especially plucking it out from around a nail or from the ceiling.

And thanks to the Hands On folks too. I know I'll be wearing my t-shirt with pride.

JNo

[Alex Puerto Rico]

Hey dudes!

I feel so strange sleeping again in my BED! Showerring without time limit. It's just different. I will never again point out the fact that I need hot water. Along all the things wich I learned (no cultural barriers here) was a way of understanding needs. Beau!!!!!!!!!!! the Meat loaf NOW. JA JA JA. Jessy the scateboard! Yes I miss screaming that to among others.
Thanks again to United Way, HandsOn, MTV, FedEx, Homedepot, Salvation Army and all the sponsors. Thanks to Stephen and Tim for the crazy dream of Storm Corps. Thanks to all the people who applied for the program. Hoo rah for the chossen ones. It was just awsome. This spring break was unbelievable.
A week is not enough, a month is not enough. Maybe a life is not enough either. But beeing there is just a sansation that we will not forget. Total strangers pull up to a house with a work order for tearing up a kitchen, bath, ceiling or a floor for somebody we don't know seems like giving your life in a battle field. While we do that a joke or too and a total stranger becomes your friend ( Mellisa, Paul, Scott, Charlote, Jessy, Ivantika, Liz, Jenn, Nate, Roody, Andy and so many other people).
I just feel like I left a piece of my hart in Biloxi that I need to get back soon. It's a feeling that only while crying you would understand. Thank you all for changing my life. I know Mississippi, Alabama and Alex from Puerto Rico changed yours.

Alex

P.S. Thanks to all the persons who helped me paint a flag of Puerto Rico on one of the camp's tent.

[Kevin]

This past week has been a great experience from me. As a resident of Mississippi, I would like to thank each of you for giving up your spring break and coming down here to help rebuild parts of Biloxi and Alabama. I learned a lot from being down there and just getting to know the locals and working hard. I learned alot about myself as well. I love each and every person that was a part of Storm Corps. Y'all are all amazing and I hope to see each and every one of you again in the near future.

To the Hands On crew. Y'all are amazing people. Each of you has given up parts of your lives to come down and help out with the rebuilding of the Gulf Coast and I admire that about each and every one of you. Y'all are awesome and I hope to come back down and work with you again. Love you lots.

Most of all, I would like to thank my team (Team Fantastics) for being the greatest team ever. I honestly believe that our team was the closest of any team in Biloxi or Alabama. We had great team unity, work ethic, and we just had an amazing time being in each other's presence. To: Carlos, Eric, Sharron, Darcie, Mandy, Natalie, Adam, Kimberly, Jon, and Ira....I love each and every one of you and there's a piece of my heart that is reserved for each of you. I miss yall so much already. I was crying so much once I said my goodbyes and got on the bus. If you ever need anything or just someone to talk to (even if it's just to say "hey, whats up"), don't hesitate to email me/text me, or call. I'm always available. Love you.

Kevin Jones
662.346.6714
kajones3@olemiss.edu
olemissboi07 on AIM

[Lindsay Rea]

Hey ya'll!!! I just wanted to let everyone know that I miss all of ya'll so much and that this was one of the greatest weeks of my life!! This past week has truly been a life-changing experience for me. I am sort of high maintenance, and it made me realize that I take way too much for granted. I have become a much more humble person and I am super stoked about volunteering again. If anyone wants to come back to the gulf, PLEASE call me! You can stay at my house and we can volunteer together. I am so blessed to have met so many amazing people! I just love all ya'll!!! Please keep in touch and please call if you come back to Mississippi or Alabama!

- Lindsay Rea

[Lindsay Rea]

oh and i want to give a shout out to all my BAMFS!!! ( BAD ASS MO FO's!!!) Love ya'll!!

[Jon Holder]

Hey everybody
I just wanted to put it out there that this was an amazing week for me, but one week wont be enough. Some of us are already making plans for more trips down this spring and summer. The pictures won't explain it, so tell all your friends they have to go down and help. Thats the only way. Lend a hand out to the people of the Gulf and I promise someone will lend their hand to you when you are in need. I hope this week was amazing for us all. Take it easy.

Jon

[Char Smith]

Hello to everyone! It is hard as many of you have said, to sum this trip up in a word, sentence or even an expression. i am already missing the people, the atmosphere, and the spirit of mississippi. driving around today i realize i take everything for granted. the streets without junk in the road to block my way to a restaraunt(which is more than likely open without roof damage or debri in the parking lot) and it all roots back to even having a vehicle and shelter. We are all so fortunate. This may be a completely outlandish analogy but i think the way that we came together to help others is similar to the way the residents of the gulf coast came together after the storm to help each other. Nothing but good can come from individuals sacrificing something to help others. i am priviledged to have had a week of my short life dedicated to helping those less fortunate and in the meantime get to hang out with some inspiring and passionate young adults. Thank you for being who you are and allowing this week to grow into what it has. Many people kept on saying " i can't believe you gave up your spring break to do this" and even i commented on the fact that my roommates had chosen to party in mexico instead but i would not have traded this experience for anything. thank you. take care of yourselves, keep in mind the impact your two hands and heart had a huge project and focus it on the small project of getting the word out that help is so desperately needed and also something that needs work in your direct community. live it up kids! hope to keep in touch! add me on facebook and myspace if you would like. best wishes
all my love: charlotte smith

Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any. It is wonderful how much can be done if we are always doing.
- -- Thomas Jefferson

facebook: http://wsu.facebook.com/profile.php?id=27200099
myspace: http://www.myspace.com/c_funk

[maddie]

hey guys...i can't believe our week together is over. I had so much fun in Alabama and I can't wait to go down again. We should all be amazingly proud of the work we've done. And although we can't rebuild the gulf coast from our beds (loveshack), we helped make a difference in someone's life.

Y'all mean the world to me and I couldn't have wanted a better group to spend the week with. Spread the word about storm corps...see you all at some point.
love, maddie (team alabama/loveshack/alabama slamma's)

[Darcie Johnson]

Hey everyone! I just wanted to say to all of you that I met and to those of you who I didn't get a chance to meet that you have all impacted my life so deeply and I will never forget you. I don't think I know how to sum up this experience because just words don't really justify how I truly feel. We really did make a difference in so many people's lives, both in Alabama and Mississippi...and I have never been as proud of my generation as I am now. We all learned so much, and now we have to be determined to share those experiences with our communities and encourage everyone we meet to get involved, be concerned about everything that is going on in our country today. To my team, The Fantastics, and to everyone else I met, you are special to me and I hope we meet again at some point in our lives...I know you will all achieve something amazing!

love, Darcie!

[Mandi aKa GEORGIA!]

What's up you guys?! I miss y'all more than words can say. I can been bouncing around like the freaking energizer bunny since I got home telling everyone about the trip of a LIFETIME and how I fell in love with more people in one week than in my entire lifetime so far. I am so grateful to United Way and MTV and Hands On USA for this opportunity and for making me so proud of myself for doing something worthwhile in the world. I love you all and can't wait for the reunion!!!

PS: Team Fantastics, you rock my face off!!!!!

PPS: All this crying needs to CALM DOWN.

PPPS: Go dawgs!

PPPPS: This is fun.