Hurricane relief efforts continue at WFU

The university’s Hurricane Katrina Relief Committee (HKRC), which serves as a clearinghouse for disaster relief efforts, provides the university ongoing assistance in communicating and coordinating relief efforts. The committee consists of students and members of the university’s staff, and is led by Tim Auman, university chaplain, and Andrea Ellis, assistant director of student development. The committee’s website, www.wfu.edu/katrina, lists upcoming events.

Some events scheduled for the next three weeks include:

• Blood Drive: Sept. 27, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Benson University Center, Room 401. Sponsored by the Volunteer Service Corps.
• University Theatre Fundraiser & Reception: Oct. 2, 2 p.m., MainStage Theatre, Scales Fine Arts Center. All proceeds from the matinee performance of “Hayfever” will be donated to the American Red Cross. A fundraiser reception will also be held at 4:15 p.m. Sponsored by the University Theatre.
• Comedy Night: Oct. 7, 9 p.m., Pugh Auditorium, Benson University Center. $10 admission (cash or Deacon Dollars accepted). Sponsored by Theta Chi.
• Donations for Second Harvest Food Bank: Collection bins will remain set up through September 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.

Volunteers service trips to the Gulf Coast region later in the 2005-2006 academic year, a fundraising dinner, a book drive and a toy drive are all in the planning stages. Dates for these events have not been set.

Wake Forest initially 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. The university continues to provide assistance to those students, alumni and students with families affected by the storm in numerous ways.