Wake Forest University provides hurricane relief opportunities

Students gather for the Sept. 11th vigil.

Wake Forest University has launched an extensive effort to address the hardships suffered by Hurricane Katrina victims. More than a dozen events have been organized to provide opportunities for the university and the surrounding community to participate in relief efforts.

The relief efforts are coordinated by the university’s newly-formed Hurricane Katrina Relief Committee (HKRC), which consists of students and members of the university’s administrative staff and is led by Tim Auman, university chaplain, and Andrea Ellis, assistant director of student development.

For detailed information on the committee’s efforts, visit www.wfu.edu/katrina.

Fundraising

• White Ribbon Campaign: Sept. 12 and ongoing. White ribbons will be sold for $1 at various campus locations in honor or memory of hurricane victims. Ribbons will be sold at Benson University Center and the College Bookstore, through Greek organizations, and at Groves Stadium at upcoming football games. Sponsored by the Volunteer Service Corps.
• Bake Sale: Sept. 13 – 14, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Magnolia Court. Sponsored by Alpha Phi Omega.
• Trivial Pursuit Tournament: Sept. 16, 6 p.m., Wingate Hall, Lower Auditorium. $8 entry fee for each team. Sponsored by the Euzelian Society.
• Athletic Event Bucket Campaign: To be held at upcoming athletic events, including football, soccer and volleyball games. Collection buckets will be available at stadiums and concession stands, and Wake Forest students will walk through stands with collection buckets. Sponsored by the Wake Forest Athletics Department.
• Hurricane Katrina Benefit Concert: Sept. 19, 7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m., Wait Chapel. $5 admission. Tickets can be purchased Sept. 15 – 16 at Benson Center Ticket Office, 758-4265 or at the door (cash only). Donations will also be accepted. Event includes performances by various campus and community groups, including choirs, a cappella groups, bands and dancers as well as speakers from different faiths. Sponsored by the HKRC.
• Comedy Night: Oct. 7, 9 p.m., Pugh Auditorium, Benson University Center. $10 admission. Sponsored by Theta Chi.

All proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross. The HKRC is also seeking corporate donors who will match Wake Forest’s fundraising efforts. Interested companies should contact Andrea Ellis at katrinahelp@wfu.edu or call (336) 758-4549.

In-Kind Donations

• Goods for Second Harvest Food Bank: Collection bins are set up on the Reynolda Campus at Wait Chapel, Facilities Management and Worrell Professional Center. Goods can be dropped off from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Items needed are:
• Single-serving snacks in pop-top containers and other single-serving items. No perishables or glass.
• Drinking water in single-serving plastic bottles.
• Paper goods.
• Cleaning supplies.
• Diapers and baby formula.
• Flashlights and batteries.

Other Donations

• Blood Drive: Sept. 27, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Benson University Center, Room 401. Sponsored by the Volunteer Service Corps.Other events and activities being planned include community service trips to the Gulf Coast region later in the 2005-2006 academic year, a fundraising dinner and a toy drive. Dates for these events have not been set.

  The university has already responded to the disaster by accepting a limited number of students for late admission to the university when their own Gulf Coast schools were closed after the hurricane. An interfaith vigil was held Sept. 11 in honor of the victims of both the Hurricane Katrina and the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States, and a fundraiser to support the Red Cross called “Candles on the Quad” was held following the vigil.