Katrina Relief Support for Displaced Families and Kids
A number of students, faculty, and staff are working to organize
and support efforts to provide money and supplies to families
and individuals displaced by Hurricane Katrina. As we are well
aware, there will be a long-term effort needed for many of
these individuals. Here are a number of ways that you can provide
support.
Cash
donations to the American Red Cross: CAUSE has
placed collections boxes in a number of buildings throughout
campus. Checks should
be made payable to the American Red Cross.
Gift
cards: School
supplies are desperately needed by students and teachers. Supplies
on hand before the hurricane have been
exhausted and commercial trucks into many areas are limited
to transport
those supplies of higher priority, i.e., food, water, diapers,
formula, and cleaning materials. Gift cards for stores such
as Wal-Mart and Payless Shoes have been specifically mentioned
as
useful. Any denomination is helpful. Please send gift cards
to the CAUSE office at 306 Blanchard or campus PO Box 9121.
This
will be an ongoing project; no end date has been established.
Clean
out the closets or purchase new: Collection of children's clothing,
toiletries, children's books, stuffed animals,
backpacks, games for kids, and school supplies. Used items
in good condition
are very acceptable. All of these items will be shipped
to the Big Buddy Program in Baton Rouge Louisiana. This program
is working
to support 800 kids and their families that are living
in
shelters. CAUSE has placed boxes in the residence halls
and in Skinner,
Blanchard, Otto C. Kohler Building (facilities management),
Mary Lyon, and
the Health Center.
Order
online: School supplies may be ordered online from Staples and Office
Depot for delivery to
specific locations.
The Big
Buddy Program has hired 45 teachers from New Orleans
to work with the
kids displaced to Baton Rouge. They have no classroom
supplies. Many school districts on the Gulf Coast face the same
problem
but cannot receive deliveries at this time. Hopefully
that will change
soon.
For more information,
contact kengell@mtholyoke.edu or call x2170.
On the Web:
CAUSE
Hurricane
Katrina Index
News & Events
Index
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