COLLEGE STATION, TX — Members of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets answered the call to help the university and community of Bryan-College Station.
On Wednesday evening, 300 to 400 cadets walked up and down campus searching for leaks caused by the weather. The group went through roughly 200 buildings, not including dorms, to search for any busted pipes.
Last night when @SSC_TAMU needed help finding leaks & employees were unable to drive to campus, 300+ @AggieCorps cadets volunteered.
The water issues were stabilized on campus, thanks in large part to their dedication and hard work. https://t.co/bjv2jpr8gh pic.twitter.com/ifRTuAj92t
— Texas A&M University (@TAMU) February 19, 2021
Brigadier General Joe E. Ramirez Jr., who is the Commandant of the Corps of Cadets, credited the cadets for helping stabilize the university's water issue.
“It’s amazing the great response we got from the cadets after the call for volunteers went out,” he told Texas A&M. “Cadets played a big role in stabilizing water levels on campus with the help they provided SSC [Services for Education] last night. I could not be prouder of them! They stepped up when their university needed help.”
Junior agriculture business major Memo Salinas was among the cadets who volunteered. He and seven of his friends are credited with finding one of the larger leaks at the grounds of the Bonfire Memorial.
“It looked like a lake or water park with water gushing out — it was massive,” said Salinas. “It certainly wasn’t normal. We’re just glad we all could help in some way.”
Cadets also found a major issue inside the Coke Building.
“It was a major gift to have these cadets help assist the university when we needed them most,” said Paul Tisch, regional director of operations for SSC. “We have been working around the clock since Sunday to address these issues caused by the hard freeze. I was super proud of the cadets.”
Another group of cadets took to Reed Arena, which had been converted to a warming center, to help distribute food.
The university says more than 70 residents took shelter in the basketball arena.
The effort was organized by the local chapter of the American Red Cross, with the Brazos Valley Food Bank providing provisions.
The good deeds were not just felt on campus. Cadets jumped in to help deliver food to Santa Teresa Church in Bryan.