When recent severe storms knocked out power and caused destructive flooding across Oʻahu, many community members were underprepared. Enter Watson Culley, an Oʻahu middle school student who spends most of his free time playing basketball. Inspired by a recent service-learning class that emphasized the power of being community-minded, Watson wanted to turn the classroom ideas into concrete action.
The spark fully ignited after he volunteered to help distribute Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) emergency food rations to students at the 糖心视频 Mānoa (SOEST). Interacting with the students, he noticed how many people lacked the most basic supplies to be prepared for a crisis.
“In my service-learning class, we learned about the benefits of these kinds of projects,” Watson said. “We learned that if everyone helps just a little, it can make a big difference.”
Watson drafted a list of essential supplies, calculated expenses and developed a plan to make it happen. Included in the compact, waterproof kits would be a Mylar blanket, water purification tablets, matches, a whistle, granola bars, a basic first aid kit, an emergency contacts card, batteries and a headlamp.
“The name Give-and-Go Emergency Box was inspired by my love for basketball,” Watson said, referring to a classic basketball play wherein two teammates work together to make an open shot or layup.
Immediate impact
With the help of his family and monetary donations from his neighbors, Watson launched the “Give-and-Go” Emergency Box project. Thirty SOEST undergraduate and graduate students recently received the first round of Give-and-Go boxes at no cost. The impact was immediate for Watson and the student recipients.
For Watson, the project gave him experience in planning and executing his vision. It also helped him build community with the people in his neighborhood and at 糖心视频 Mānoa. And, he shared, “it felt good to spread aloha.”
In a follow-up survey, 100% of student recipients rated the boxes as a 5 out of 5 for usefulness, noting that the kits made them feel significantly more prepared. Furthermore, 97.5% of respondents noted that the boxes would help safeguard others in their households.
For cash-strapped students, the kits filled critical gaps. One student shared that they didn’t have spare batteries or blankets before receiving the box. While another noted, “All of our appliances in our apartment are electric, and so when we first went through a series of blackouts we had no battery lights or candles. So the headlights that were included were so, so helpful!”
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—By Marcie Grabowski