North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Hundreds of college students spent their spring break giving back, volunteering to help rebuild homes in North Carolina communities still reeling from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.
Students have traveled from across the country, including as far as New Mexico, to put on Tyvek suits, clean up debris, and assist in rebuilding homes, trailer structures, and infrastructure. Along the way, they’re gaining hands-on experience in construction and disaster recovery while making a tangible impact on the community.
On the first two days of their mission, a group of six students from Tennessee Tech University began by floating and taping a home. “These young adults are doing incredible work!” shared one of the volunteers, Justin, who was teaching the students these tasks for the first time. Despite a slow start on the first day with setup and training, the team made significant progress by the second day. Justin even took another group out that evening to make further progress, aiming to finish before the end of the week, ahead of schedule.
“We have around 78 volunteers spread across nine projects,” the team posted. “Please continue to pray for us.”
Bruce Wisely, the sole survivor of his family, shared his story of how the floods caused by the hurricane had ravaged his home. The Toe River’s rising waters created a massive dam when debris piled up against a bridge, causing water levels to surge 50 feet above normal, flooding the area in just minutes. Volunteers spent the week working on rebuilding his home, offering hope to a family torn apart by the storm.
Other volunteers, including a group from Winston-Salem State University and Chi Alpha, a campus ministry organization, joined forces with Building Compassion, a nonprofit spearheading the rebuilding efforts. Kimberly Banks shared her gratitude on Facebook for the volunteers who helped restore her daughter Nateara’s home, which was flooded by the hurricane.
“Thanks to Building Compassion, college students from across the southeast spent their spring break working hard in the mountains to repair homes,” Banks wrote. “The contractor and his wife even drove 12 hours from Missouri to supervise the teens. If you ever wonder what kind of people we should be, look at the example set by these young men and women.”
The student teams took on a wide range of rebuilding tasks, from reconstructing retaining walls to repairing homes and trailers. 
“From repairing structures to clearing debris, our teams are addressing whatever the community needs,” said Frank Frankovsky from Building Compassion.
The student volunteers’ contributions are being celebrated as a powerful example of resilience and solidarity in the face of disaster.
“This is the America we need — young people working hard, rebuilding, and helping others. More of this, less of the entitled victim mindset,” a local resident wrote on social media.