In Greensburg

Craig Stramel is a volunteer at heart.

The spring 2008 Fort Hays State University grad is in Greensburg again this week, assisting and also learning from Matt Deighton, volunteer coordinator for the South-Central Kansas Tornado Recovery Organization. Craig met Matt on earlier trips to volunteer in Greensburg.

Craig, 23, just finished his student teaching in Long Island, N.Y. His degree from FHSU is in education with an emphasis in math and computer science. He’s putting off his teaching career “as long as possible” in favor of volunteer work, however.

In addition to helping in Greensburg, Craig has made six or seven trips to the New Orleans area to assist Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts. He spent 2 1/2 months there during two summers and also worked with Tigers in Service from FHSU during a couple of spring breaks.

He’s booked up with volunteer work until mid-July, when he says he’ll have to get a real job to save money. He’s planning to send in his application for the Peace Corps this week. He’s had it filled out since January or February.

Where does he want to go? “Nowhere north of Kansas,” he says adamantly. He doesn’t like cold weather.

“Actually,” he adds, “I’ll go where I’m needed most.”