Panthers lend helping hand in Savannah

Within weeks of each other, Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused widespread flooding and high winds in 2024 that devastated communities across the Southeast, including Savannah, Georgia, where LC students spent their spring break serving as the hands and feet for their neighbors in need.

“God called me to serve, to make people feel loved, and to remind them that everything will be OK,” said sophomore Jasmine Owens, who was part of a group that included 14 students and 4 faculty and staff members.

LC Spiritual Life partnered with United Methodist Committee On Relief for this service project. Church of the Hill in Richmond Hill, Georgia, served as a host site.

“Trips like this provide students with a unique opportunity to grow spiritually,” said the Rev. Ashley Jenkins ’08, Chaplain and Director of Spiritual Life. “God calls us to serve others, especially those who are marginalized, forgotten or struggling. Through our service, we reflect God’s love, mercy and compassion.”

Political Science Professor Dr. John Tures, who previously served on an LC hurricane relief trip, said it was great to see everyone in the group working as a team.

“We carried away heavy tiles and were not afraid to get our hands dirty,” he said.

Owens said witnessing the strength of the residents was truly inspiring.

“I worked at a woman’s house where a flood had destroyed her entire first floor—she had no kitchen, no bathroom, no living room, nothing,” she said. “Yet, despite everything, she never stopped smiling. After two days of painting her house, we were able to leave her with something simple yet meaningful—a freshly painted living room, a couch and a space where she could drink her coffee in the morning.”

For Owens, it wasn’t just about the physical transformation of the woman’s house but about helping her make it feel like home again.

“I took part in this trip to grow closer to God and give back to others, and I was blessed to experience both in such a powerful way,” she said.