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Ten campus student organizations have combined their efforts to create the University of Louisville Student Coalition for Relief, a fund-raising effort to assist evacuees from the gulf region who will be residing in Louisville for an indefinite period of time.
“As a unified collective, we believe there exists an obligation as peoples of this nation to demonstrate philanthropic, empathetic and altruistic action in lieu of Hurricane Katrina’s effects on the Gulf Coast,” said Student Government Association President Bill Brammell.
“This student coalition is the most broad and diverse in University of Louisville history.”
Coalition spokeswoman Renea Steele, who is also president of the Panhellenic Council, said each organization will hold individual fund-raising, food and clothing drives.
All proceeds and supplies will go directly to evacuees living in Louisville.
“The blatant effects of Hurricane Katrina upon residents of the Gulf Coast sells itself,” Steele said. “Students do not need to be convinced. Rather, we are working to make students aware of the opportunities available to provide relief.”
Starting today, the SGA will sell Mardi Gras beads in exchange for donations in $5 increments. The beads will be available in several campus locations, including the second floor of the Student Activities Center, where the SGA office is located. The SGA usually sells wristbands for fund-raising, but Brammell said beads were chosen as a symbolic reminder of the duty of each American to play their part in the relief effort.
“If Hurricane Katrina and subsequent effects comprise the greatest disaster in U.S. history, it is reasonable that the greatest disaster relief in U.S. history should be the global response,” he said.
The Resident Student Association, National Panhellenic Conference and the Interfraternity Council will also begin food, clothing and supply drives. Donation bins will be available in the residence hall lobbies and Greek house.
RSA President Nicole Kersting encourages commuter students to take advantage of the drop boxes placed in the lobbies of the residence halls for donating clothing and supplies. She said the residence halls will also be competing in a penny war to raise money.
The relief effort is expected to continue throughout the school year and possibly carry over to next year as well.
Students, faculty and staff wishing to join the relief effort can obtain more information by sending an e-mail to relief@louisville.edu.
Upcoming events and fund-raisers will be announced on the Netmail home page at https://www.netmail.louisville.edu, on the Student Life Web page at http://campuslife.louisville.edu, and at http://www.louisvillecardinal.com.
