If you’re reading this newspaper, chances are you go to school in New Orleans. If you go to school in New Orleans, you’ve most likely seen some of the damage done by Hurricane Katrina. If you’ve seen even a little of the damage done by Katrina, if you’ve spoken with a professor or student whose home and personal belongings are gone, you’ve probably offered them sympathy. If you’re still in New Orleans, it’s probably because you care about this city. So do something about it.

A lot of us received money from FEMA for the simple reason that we’re “from New Orleans.” Some of us got this money without actually having lost anything substantial. Some of us used this money to throw parties or take road trips, and we did this knowing there were many in New Orleans far more deserving of federal aid. But set this issue aside.

What matters now is rebuilding the city. I’m sure I’m not the only one who defended New Orleans to random strangers up north, saying the city was worth saving and was worth the risk. And I’m sure I’m not the only one who claims New Orleans as a second home. We all go to school here, so in a real way, we’re all from here. This is our city, and if we care enough to defend it to strangers, to call it home and come back after everyone else says it’s over, then we also have a responsibility to preserve it.

Patriotism isn’t just defending one’s country from presumed foreign threats; it entails more than rhetoric and more than mere citizenship. Patriotism is sticking with your homeland when it needs you most, and right now New Orleans needs its residents. The city needs us to do more than go to bars and toss our money around. Before the hurricane, this city was aching for affordable housing, efficient public transportation and decent public schools. After the hurricane, it still needs all those things, only countless times more.

As students, we are at leisure. Many of us work jobs along with our classes, and a lot of us are involved in extracurricular activities. But when we have time, we should volunteer our services to rebuilding New Orleans. Loyola is known throughout the city for the good work performed by those who volunteer. Our volunteers tutor, gut houses, build homes, prepare meals, mentor children and provide companionship for the elderly. New Orleans has always been a city in need, and now is obviously no exception. New Orleans depends on Loyola and not just for our money. It needs our time, our efforts and our good-natured enthusiasm.

We all live in this city. So let’s make it live.