Whenever there is a major natural disaster, such as the flood earlier this month, it is a time for all members of a community to come together. We certainly appreciate all of the volunteer spirit that has been put forth by Washington Parish citizens. However, we are equally excited and thankful for the help from those who don’t even live here.

One such group is Chi Alpha Chi Campus Ministries, which is based in Conway, Arkansas. This group of college students originally planned to go to New Orleans, but changed their mission focus to Bogalusa after seeing news about the devastation that affected our community.

Of course, they wouldn’t have been able to arrange their trip without the help of Greater Ebenezer Church, which helped organize and coordinate the relief mission effort.

We thank those students for their visit and their willingness to share their time and talents with a hurting community. It just goes to show you, that when there is a national tragedy, we might be from different cities and states — but we are all Americans.