Heidi Pearson is a young member of PTPI whose community in New York, United States was recently affected by Hurricane Irene. We talked to her about what happened, what she is doing to help, and how you can help:
1. How did you become involved with PTPI?
I first became involved with People to People when I was 11. I did the Sports Ambassadors Program, and went to Holland to play basketball and tour the country. Ever since then I have been involved with PTPI and gone to Global Youth Forums since my 8th grade year, and I go to local People to People Student Ambassador meetings to tell parents about my expriences with PTPI.
2. For people who may have no idea, can you describe what it is like to be in a hurricane?
I was not directly in the hurricane at my house to be honest. I was driving through the whole entire thing, coming back from Kingston, Canada. It was quite the adventure though! It is normally a 3 and a half hour drive from Kingston, but that day it took 6 or 7 hours. There was a lot of heavy constant rain and extremly strong winds. As we got closer to my county the roads were starting to flood, or start to get washed away. It was very sad to see the water coming up into people’s backyards and up to their houses. It was devastating to see all the damage that was taking place, but at the same time it was very cool for teenagers and kids to see what a hurricane is actually like – the last time we had one was in 1996.
Flooding in Middleburgh, NY. Photo courtesy of Heidi Pearson.
3. How did Hurricane Irene impact your community?
The impact has been great, in both positive and negative ways. The sad part about the hurricane is that a lot of the historical buildings were flooded, so we had to take everything out of them, including the walls. Also a lot of the old covered bridges are condemned because they are no longer safe to use. It has definitely brought our community together and closer. It seems that everyone is helping everyone in anyway possible. Even if they don’t know you, people are over helping others get everything out of their houses and pulling the dry wall and insulation out – it is great to see everyone working together.
Unfortunately, we are getting hit with more rain. They had to evacuate the towns again, because of the dam possibly overflowing and the possibility of the flood gates needing to be reopened for a second time. School has been let out early and closed, or the starting date pushed back because of the damage that was caused to the schools, or to homes – kids don’t have proper school supplies or a house for that matter.
Flooding in Middleburgh, NY. Photo courtesy of Heidi Pearson.
3. What would you say is the most urgent need in your community?
Pretty much everything and anything. People have lost everything. They no longer have homes, jobs, clothing, cars, food, water. Everything that we use on a daily basis is needed, like tooth brushes, tooth paste, hair brushes, school supplies, things under all of these categories are needed.
Also, help with getting everything out of houses and removing the dry wall because the houses are starting to be condemned. If people can get things out and get the walls taken out then it is more likely for them to be able to live in the house again, since the mold and mildew don’t have as great of a chance of growing. People really want to get everything out of their houses and piled up on the streets and get their house inspected so they know if they can live in their house again or if they need to start all over again.
Heidi and other young people in her community came together to help those in need after Hurricane Irene.
4. What are you and others doing to help?
We have many volunteers at the shelters helping people get situated or get needed supplies. There are people going into the towns that were flooded, handing out water, food, snacks, and cleaning supplies to the volunteers that are helping to clean the houses out and to the people who own the houses. My family, cross country team, All-Star cheerleading team, and I have been in the towns of Schoharie and Middleburgh to help clean out the houses and help the families that have lost everything. We have also been helping out at the shelter. We would usually stay working at the shelter until about 11:00 or midnight, come home, then repeat the day all over again. There have been some very long days for everyone helping out, but things are starting to get picked up, cleaned out and back to ‘normal’ for now. I have also gotten in contact with our local Price Chopper for donations of donated pizza, bottled water and many other supplies for the shelters around Schoharie county. The local Walmart has also donated lots of waters and many other supplies to the local shelters. They have been an awesome tribute to the community for helping out.
5. Has your experience with PTPI influenced your desire to give back?
Yes, because it has taught me that if you were in this kind of situation and lost everything you would want someone or a group of people to come and help you out. I have also gotten the privilege to travel all around the world and have been able to see that there are so many people out there who have a lot less than I do and I want to help them out as well. PTPI has helped me understand that you get more out of helping someone out than you do receiving anything. I feel great when I go to sleep at night. because I know that I helped families out that really needed help.
6. How can PTPI members help out in Middleburgh or other communities that were affected by Hurricane Irene?
PTPI members can help out by sending supplies that I have listed or supplies that would go under the catagories that I have listed about. Or they can make monetary donations. People can contact me about how to help – my email address is xoheidimariexo@yahoo.com.
To learn more about People to People International, visit www.ptpi.org
