Students Leave A Mark in North Carolina During Spring Break
Group of nearly 30 assist community still recovering after Hurricane Helene
Students Leave A Mark in North Carolina During Spring Break
Group of nearly 30 assist community still recovering after Hurricane Helene
Story and Video by Samantha Drougel
Photos by Emily Riddle
Page Design by Eliana McGlinchey
Video Editing by Nathan Coon
Students who participate in the organization Students Leaving a Mark (SLAM) spent their spring break in Asheville, North Carolina, assisting the community that is still recovering from 2024's Hurricane Helene.
Ashlyn Jenkins, excited and ready to volunteer, holds up a map as the group prepares to explore the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina.
Ashlyn Jenkins, excited and ready to volunteer, holds up a map as the group prepares to explore the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina.
Story by Samantha Drougel
Photos by Emily Riddle
Page Design by Eliana McGlinchey
Video Editing by Nathan Coon
Students who participate in the organization Students Leaving a Mark (SLAM) spent their spring break in Asheville, North Carolina, assisting the community that is still recovering from 2024's Hurricane Helene.
Ashlyn Jenkins, excited and ready to volunteer, holds up a map as the group prepares to explore the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina.
Ashlyn Jenkins, excited and ready to volunteer, holds up a map as the group prepares to explore the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina.
Nearly 30 students spent four days clearing and cleaning yards, working in warehouses and stocking pantry shelves. They volunteered for the Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM), a church-owned and volunteer-led organization that addresses poverty, hunger, homelessness and access to health care for underserved residents in Buncombe County.
SLAM advisor Quincy Williams and sophomore student Grace Clark clear branches as part of their efforts to restore the area.
SLAM advisor Quincy Williams and sophomore student Grace Clark clear branches as part of their efforts to restore the area.
From left, Solomon Dukes and Oliver Shampine maneuver storage bins during a warehouse organization effort.
From left, Solomon Dukes and Oliver Shampine maneuver storage bins during a warehouse organization effort.
Students Alizé Gonzalez, left, and Nile Stewart carry piles of baby clothes, supported by Debra Luther, a dedicated ABCCM volunteer eager to tackle the task.
Students Alizé Gonzalez, left, and Nile Stewart carry piles of baby clothes, supported by Debra Luther, a dedicated ABCCM volunteer eager to tackle the task.
SLAM advisor Quincy Williams, who is the internship and undergraduate coordinator for the School of Community Leadership and Development, said he created a class for SLAM so students can learn to apply what they've learned in the classroom to real-life situations.
Sophia Shaw flashes a smile as she sorts food and supplies for community distribution.
Sophia Shaw flashes a smile as she sorts food and supplies for community distribution.
“These trips challenge students to step out of their comfort zone, helping them to grow as individuals," said Williams, who has led SLAM spring break trips for nearly 20 years. "When focusing on disaster relief work, it provides an immediate and visible way to allow students to help communities in need."
Nearly 30 students spent four days clearing and cleaning yards, working in warehouses and stocking pantry shelves. They volunteered for the Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM), a church-owned and volunteer-led organization that addresses poverty, hunger, homelessness and access to health care for underserved residents in Buncombe County.
SLAM advisor Quincy Williams and sophomore student Grace Clark clear branches as part of their efforts to restore the area.
SLAM advisor Quincy Williams and sophomore student Grace Clark clear branches as part of their efforts to restore the area.
From left, Solomon Dukes and Oliver Shampine maneuver storage bins during a warehouse organization effort.
From left, Solomon Dukes and Oliver Shampine maneuver storage bins during a warehouse organization effort.
Students Alizé Gonzalez, left, and Nile Stewart carry piles of baby clothes, supported by Debra Luther, a dedicated ABCCM volunteer eager to tackle the task.
Students Alizé Gonzalez, left, and Nile Stewart carry piles of baby clothes, supported by Debra Luther, a dedicated ABCCM volunteer eager to tackle the task.
SLAM advisor Quincy Williams, who is the internship and undergraduate coordinator for the School of Community Leadership and Development, said he created a class for SLAM so students can learn to apply what they've learned in the classroom to real-life situations.
Sophia Shaw flashes a smile as she sorts food and supplies for community distribution.
Sophia Shaw flashes a smile as she sorts food and supplies for community distribution.
“These trips challenge students to step out of their comfort zone, helping them to grow as individuals," said Williams, who has led SLAM spring break trips for nearly 20 years. "When focusing on disaster relief work, it provides an immediate and visible way to allow students to help communities in need."
"When focusing on disaster relief work, it provides an immediate and visible way to allow students to help communities in need."
– Quincy Williams, SLAM Advisor
Allen Pounders, ABCCM south crisis coordinator, said the organization was grateful for the Lakers' help in early March, as area residents continue to need assistance with access to food, clothing, furniture and more. More than 6,000 people volunteered with ABCCM last year.
Dallas Mathews, president of SLAM, said a portion of this trip was funded by GVSU's Office of Student Life. Matthews added students in the group said they wanted to go because of the mark they will leave on the community and the bonds they will form with their classmates.
Allen Pounders, ABCCM south crisis coordinator, said the organization was grateful for the Lakers' help in early March, as area residents continue to need assistance with access to food, clothing, furniture and more. More than 6,000 people volunteered with ABCCM last year.
Dallas Mathews, president of SLAM, said a portion of this trip was funded by GVSU's Office of Student Life. Matthews added students in the group said they wanted to go because of the mark they will leave on the community and the bonds they will form with their classmates.
"You are doing something outside of yourself. If you want to learn, spend time improving the community and make new life-long friends, then you should join SLAM.”
– Oliver Shampine
Alumni from previous SLAM trips often return to help.
Williams said SLAM was initially heading for a different part of North Carolina but changed directions after Cory Jackson, who graduated from Grand Valley in 2012 with a degree in public administration, contacted Williams asking for help in his community of Asheville.
“After seeing some of the devastation in our community it was profound and it took me back to my SLAM trip,” Jackson said.
Alumni from previous SLAM trips often return to help.
Williams said SLAM was initially heading for a different part of North Carolina but changed directions after Cory Jackson, who graduated from Grand Valley in 2012 with a degree in public administration, contacted Williams asking for help in his community of Asheville.
“After seeing some of the devastation in our community it was profound and it took me back to my SLAM trip,” Jackson said.
While students spent most days helping in the community, they also hiked in the Great Smoky Mountains and sang karaoke and watched movies.
“I tried my best to make sure that everyone is included in everything and tried to look out for everyone as much as possible,” said Alex Flores-Calderon, vice president of SLAM.
While students spent most days helping in the community, they also hiked in the Great Smoky Mountains and sang karaoke and watched movies.
“I tried my best to make sure that everyone is included in everything and tried to look out for everyone as much as possible,” said Alex Flores-Calderon, vice president of SLAM.
Emergency assistance
Learn more about ABCCM and its mission online.
This project was created by University Communications student employees Nathan Coon, Samantha Drougel, Eliana McGlinchey and Emily Riddle.
