While many college students spend spring break relaxing, Indiana Zeta chose to make an impact. Over the first week of spring break, 28 SigEp undergraduate brothers, alumni, and volunteers traveled to Panama City, Florida, to give back through service to assist with the damages sustained through Hurricane Michael last October.

The trip was organized with Rebuild Bay County, a nonprofit dedicated to disaster recovery and community revitalization. Inspired by his experience on last year’s trip, one brother took the lead in planning this year’s service experience, working alongside advisors Ryan Bye, Valparaiso Renaissance, Carrie Whittier, and Steve Janowiak, Valparaiso Renaissance, to make it happen.

Making a Difference, One Project at a Time

Over just four days, the group accomplished incredible work at a disaster relief and revitalization shelter, preparing to open its doors to the community. Their efforts included:

• Scraping and sealing cafeteria walls
• Making the kitchen food-safe by sealing cracks
• Painting the dry storage room
• Revitalizing the back kitchen entrance (hanging doors, painting, etc.)
• Power washing sidewalks throughout the complex
• Sealing a mechanical room with significant structural gaps

Beyond the shelter, the brothers also extended their efforts to local homeowners in need. They:

• Power washed and painted a house
• Cleared debris and overgrowth from three properties
• Poured a concrete pad for an elderly woman in a wheelchair, ensuring she could safely reach the sidewalk for her weekly appointments

Impact Beyond the Local Community

In addition to their work in Panama City, the group constructed three massive shipping crates, each filled with 1,000 pounds of tools. These crates were sent to Maui to support wildfire restoration efforts.

The most rewarding outcome of the trip was the long-term impact: thanks to the group’s volunteer hours, Rebuild Bay County can now apply for a $24,000 grant to continue its vital work in the community.

The importance of AVC’s

This trip wouldn’t have been possible without Alumni and Volunteer Corporation (AVC) support. The contributions of these volunteers allowed the brothers of Indiana Zeta to dedicate a week to service, making a lasting difference in Panama City and beyond.

To Indiana Zeta AVC members — thank you for your generosity and commitment to your chapter’s mission. Your support allowed brothers to create meaningful change, and we look forward to seeing this tradition of service for years to come!