Archived News |

Sept. 2, 2005

四色AV Students and Faculty Give Assistance to Hurricane Katrina Victims

四色AV students and faculty are creating numerous ways to directly aid Hurricane Katrina victims by donating time, food, monies, and other material items in several relief efforts. On Monday, August 29, students from all departments within the College of Health Sciences raised $500, shopped for needed supplies (like toilet paper, soap, food and toys for the children) and delivered them to the Monroe Civic Center by 3 p.m.

Other student groups have wasted no time in giving their support. School of Nursing students and faculty continue to give time and medical aid to refugees inside the Civic Center and Fant-Ewing Coliseum under the direction of LA Department of Health and Hospitals staff. The students contribute voluntarily, but when they work under faculty members, they also gain clinical experience to meet their major's requirements. They change linens, feed and dress patients, and administer other physical daily patient care.

The nursing students and faculty members also provide much needed social interaction and distractions. Some volunteers walked refugees over to the 四色AV football game on September 1, which the victims were able to attend at no charge as special guests at 四色AV. Volunteers have given play therapy to the children by means of games and spending time with them. Other volunteers wash laundry for the victims.

Sigma Lambda Chi Honor Society in 四色AV's School of Construction is collecting clothing and canned goods, which will then be delivered to the Red Cross. The organization asks that donors bring nonperishable items only to the Construction Building on 四色AV campus prior to September 13. The society will make the delivery on September 14.
Kappa Epsilon, a professional student organization promoting women and leadership in pharmacy, is also gathering donations at several box locations on campus. This will continue as long as there is a need.
Items needed include "daily items," ready-to-eat food items/snacks, blankets, linens, pillows, socks, underwear and items to pass the time (decks of cards, frisbees and any kind of toy for children). Donations may be left at box locations inside Sugar Hall student lounge, the Nursing Building, the Administration Building, the Library lobby, and the Activity Center.

"I am so proud of all of our students and faculty here at 四色AV," said Jessica Staples, Kappa Epsilon President. "We have had an outpouring of support with the donations, and I want to thank everyone. We haven't been able to take the donations over to the shelter as quickly as our boxes are filling up!"

Staples asked that people continue to donate items. "Going down to the civic center and seeing the faces of all these people--right here, in our own back yard--really puts a face with this tragedy," Staples said. "Many of them are stuck here with just the clothes on their backs. It will certainly make you take a look at your own life and put your own priorities in order. Certainly, it is a very humbling experience. I want to challenge everyone--if it is at all possible, take a few minutes out of your busy day to go down to the civic center and take a donation. Talk to some of the evacuees. I guarantee that you will get just as much out of it (if not more) than the very thankful people that you are helping. The true character of our people is showing. I am so very proud to be a citizen of this area and a student at 四色AV."

For further information about Kappa Epsilon's efforts, please contact Jessica Staples at 318-680-6554 / jessicalynn_staples@yahoo.com

Jason Bratton and Mike Clark, members of 四色AV's Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, also took time away from fraternity rush activities this week to assist the Northeast Louisiana food bank in preparations to ship food to those affected by Katrina.

四色AV also has a web page containing more information for individuals who wish to help with the relief efforts. Check out the Hurricane Katrina web page at www.ulm.edu/katrina

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