Newton, Mass. (February 22, 2013) – Nearly four months have passed since Hurricane Sandy ravaged the eastern seaboard, leaving millions of residents with extensive property damage, lengthy power outages and in many instances, homeless.  In just two October days, Sandy had come and gone.  But today, the aftermath of her destruction lingers on.

A group of ten Lasell College students recently ventured down to the New Jersey seacoast, where they joined volunteers from AmeriCorps and Sister Jean's Soup Kitchen – a local New Jersey hunger relief agency – in their efforts to alleviate the damage of Hurricane Sandy.  The group of eager volunteers – all Resident Assistants at the Newton, MA college – was organized and led by Patricia Moran, Lasell College’s Residential Life Area Coordinator, and Kevin Moloney, a junior and Resident Assistant.

The students began President’s Day Weekend in Seaside Heights, assisting with recovery work at Memory Lane Concessions snack bar, a cornerstone of the famous boardwalk.  Memory Lane Concessions was severely damaged when Hurricane Sandy pushed nearly three feet of sand into the building’s interior.  Owner Bob Burger is hopeful that his snack bar will be repaired and ready for business by March.  Burger presented a toy shovel – found onsite amongst the debris – to the Lasell students as a token of his gratitude.  “This was an incredible thing to do,” said Burger.

Further down the Jersey Shore in Atlantic City, Lasell volunteers got to work clearing out a flooded basement and creating affordable housing for as many as 1,000 area residents who remain displaced by the storm.  "We got a lot of work done, but there is still so much to do,” said Ashley Clary '14.  Group leader Moloney expressed his wish for Lasell to continue contributing to relief efforts, adding “it’s amazing one storm can change an entire region in an instant.  That is why this trip had to happen and why similar trips need to happen," said Moloney.   The students hope to return to the mid-Atlantic seacoast later this year.

IN PHOTO:  (Back, left to right): Aleandra Ferri '14, Antonio Nesbitt'13, Kevin Moloney '14, Steven Saluti '15, Ashley Clary '14, Residential Life Area Coordinator Patricia Moran, Holly Irvin, '14, William Dempsey '13. (Front, left to right): Kristen Silvia '14, Rebecca Bissonnette '15, Danielle Fortin '15.

About Lasell College

An innovative educational institution for more than 160 years, Lasell is an independent coeducational college emphasizing the integration of professional and liberal arts programs leading to bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The campus is situated on a 50-acre campus eight miles from downtown Boston. Adjacent to the college is Lasell Village, the first-of-its-kind, college-sponsored retirement community with a learning mandate that has drawn international attention.

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