Anwi Tadzong, a sophomore majoring in biomedical engineering at University Park, participated in a Penn State Alternative Breaks trip to Ashville, North Carolina, to provide relief following Hurricane Helene, which devastated the area in September 2024. Tadzong and other volunteers collaborated with Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE) to rebuild destroyed homes; planted more than 140 tree saplings to help restore the 40% of the area’s trees that were destroyed by the hurricane; prepared hot meals local veterans; and packaged approximately 700 food bags for local schoolchildren. “This service trip reinforced and strengthened my desire and passion for service. The lessons I learned from pulling out nails and staples for eight hours straight were far greater than I could have imagined," Tadzong said. "Regardless of my degree and career, what drives me is the hope that because of something I did, tomorrow will be better than today. It is in our hands to create the future we want to see. I am truly honored to have taken part in such life-changing service, and I know this is just the one of many more to come.”