Auto Instructor George van der Wouden and five Glenmont Job Corps students participated in a community service project over Labor Day weekend to help victims devastated by Hurricane Irene.

Heeding the call for help, van der Wouden and a group of five students (Five Plus One) headed to Schenectady County with the mission of helping others. They started in the river front Stockade district at St. Georges Church and were assigned by the Red Cross to help in Rotterdam Junction, an area devastated by the hurricane.

“Driving into hard hit areas was shocking,” said van der Wouden. “Bridges were closed and homes had sustained heavy damage. We witnessed water filled basements of upwards to three feet of water — destroying homes, but not hearts,” he said.

Although all the eye could see were giant piles of muddy debris, the Job Corps volunteers were moved by how the community bonded together to try and help one another. Many residents worked together to remove salvageable furniture and belongings. Further demonstrating the town’s spirit, the Rotterdam Junction fire department had their doors open with a sign out front that read: “free breakfast, lunch and dinner.”
Although the odor of muddy river water filled the air, the aroma of burgers and frying chicken from the fire department provided a few familiar Labor Day weekend scents.

The “five plus one” wore their protective gear of gloves and masks as they worked to clean up several homes, shoveling large amounts of mud and dirt. “The students also hugged and listened to stories from those who had lost so much, showing immense compassion,” said van der Wouden. “Seeing residents in tears due to the losses sustained had a profound effect on all of us,” he said.

With shovels in hand, the Job Corps students went to work assisting residents in four additional homes. “One resident expressed how well mannered and respectful Chaniel was as she went from home to home offering assistance,” said van der Wouden.

Many important lessons were gained at the community service project. As the 3:30 pm quitting time came, students were tired but expressed how great it felt to give back. “I learned I really don’t have things so bad,” said one of the students on their way back to Job Corps.

That spirit carried with the students all weekend. On Tuesday morning students proudly displayed the mud that had permanently bonded to their work boots. “I am incredibly proud of the Glenmont five plus one!” said van der Wouden.

Glenmont Job Corps salutes Mr. van der Wouden and the five students for their outstanding service to the community. Participating students include: Chaniel Thomas, Jonathon Correa, Howard Johnson, Shavone Owens and Raheem Howell.