Victims of Tragic Flood find Comfort through SUU Service
Published: September 17, 2015 | Read Time: 2 minutes
When a flash flood turned a creek into a deadly torrent in Hildale, Utah on Monday night — carrying off two vehicles full of family members and killing at least 12 — students from Southern Utah University rushed forward to help the town in need. Hearing of the tragic tale from news reports, Karen Ganss, assistant director for SUU’s Rural Health Scholars (RHS), rallied her students together to give aid to the obviously shaken members of the rural community. The students, all part of SUU’s RHS program, collected donations from local businesses and churches, and several SUU offices. The donations consisted of meals, snacks, drinks and t-shirts for the volunteers helping with the search and rescue missions, according to Terrell Musser with Colorado City Search and Rescue. The efforts made by the six students alongside Ganss equaled to meals for 350, something that became essential once the group entered the flood-soaked town. 
Ganss explained that the volunteers were told that 1,000 meals were en route, but instead only received 500. The SUU students jumped in and prepared their meals in rapid fashion and were able to feed the remaining volunteers, alleviating some of the stress as rescuers still search for a missing boy. “I think it's wonderful for SUU students to see the great diversity of people, places, and needs within southern Utah,; stated Ganss. “In this instance, I think it was great for them to discover that in dire situations like these, diverse individuals can come together, find common ground, and truly make a positive difference. The students in attendance (right to left in photo) were Kaley Barlow, Paydon Newman, Bodee Wigington, Phillip Hilton and Aaron Ganss. All students are part of SUU’s Rural Health Scholars program. RHS is stem of Utah Area Health Education Centers. SUU’s health center has now branched out to Dixie State University and Snow College.
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