Thirty-five Indiana State University students answered a call for volunteers, lending their muscle to tornado-ravaged Enterprise, Ala. residents during a spring break trip that began with efforts to help Hurricane Katrina survivors along the Gulf Coast.

The students, along with three staff members, were helping homeowners in Biloxi/Gulfport, Miss. as part of Alternative Spring Break, a collaboration with Hope Crisis Response Network, an organization that works to bring relief to areas that have been struck with a natural disaster. They had planned to spend the entire seven days there, but a phone call resulted in a change of plans.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency put out a call for volunteers in the wake of last week’s deadly tornado that left widespread damage in the Enterprise area. Hope Crisis relayed the call and the ISU students answered it, said Al Perone, director of student activities and organizations.

Photos by Drew Lurker