When Central Private canceled its softball tournament last weekend, members of the Cathedral softball team knew they had to help.

Head coach Gary Blackwell and along with a handful of parents and players drove to Central, La., in northeast Baton Rogue in hopes of helping the school and students get back on their feet by helping move damaged furniture and supplies out of classrooms.

Yani Rojo, Allie Feltus and Annalyce Riley had seen photos and videos of flood damage in the Baton Rouge area, but said witnessing it was entirely different.

“It was really heartbreaking to see people with everything they owned just out on the street,” Riley said.

Blackwell said flood waters invaded the Central Private campus and school buildings.

“I had some dollies and we moved (furniture) out of classrooms into the gym where they can start working on the floors,” Blackwell said.

The Central Private gymnasium is a museum of office chairs, desks, filing cabinets and shelves, and the clutter continued to pile up as the girls, coaches and parents helped move and pack equipment into the gym.

“It shows how lucky we were,” Rojo said. “They lost everything, I couldn’t imagine losing everything in my house.”

Feltus said the trip put everyday routines, like going to school, in perspective.

“It’s so closed to here, and we’re blessed to be on this side of it,” Feltus said.

Blackwell said the Central Private softball team is aiming to start its season Sept. 6. Volunteers and staff are trying to clear parts of the school to resume classes for second through sixth grade, while high school classes are taught at a local church.