Volleyball team nets goods to aid Lusk flood victims

The Saratoga High School volleyball team recently came together to help the community of Lusk, Wyo. in their time of need. The small town suffered a big flood in early June that destroyed property and caused residents to evacuate their homes.

Our local high school volleyball team organized a way to help Lusk. They gathered up clothes, food, bedding and other basic needs for the town from people who were willing to donate to the cause. They also made personal hygiene kits that included things like deodorant, shampoo, combs, bug spray and hand sanitizer.

Head coach Shayley Love made a couple trips back to Lusk to get updates on what was needed. She took the items that were donated to Casper to somebody who would then take it on to Lusk. The town had set up a center where all of the donated goods could be dropped off.

“The biggest thing for me is that everybody wants to pitch in and do something,” Love said about the small community. She believes that not only did their team help out, but also Moorcroft’s (Wyo.) wrestling team and some athletes from Douglas, Wyo.

As their homes got washed away causing them to evacuate, people stayed out at the fairgrounds when it wasn’t being used. Some motels in the town have also taken people in. The river destroyed the overpass in Lusk as well. While repairs are being made, traffic is detoured around a couple blocks in order for it to flow, according to Love.

There is a connection between the Saratoga and Lusk volleyball teams, as Saratoga coaches Shayley Love and Amy Johnston are both from Lusk. The volleyball rivalry exists, but it is in good fun. The teams still support each other, which is shown by this effort the Saratoga team made for Lusk during their flood.