MHC
Rallies to Support Katrina Relief Effort
By Charmaine Colino
Lee Bowie, Dean of the College and Professor of Philosophy, asked
Anita Magovern, Chaplain to the College, Adviser to the Catholic
Community and C.A.U.S.E.
to spearhead a Hurricane Katrina relief effort on campus. The
MHC campus community rallied in response. The fund-raising campaign
began quickly and is expected to remain active in its relief efforts
for the long run. The environmental and psychological shock, as
well as material needs and fiscal impact of Katrina (compounded
by Hurricane Rita) will affect the gulf states for many years to
come. Anita believes she has been “privileged and honored” to
be chosen to coordinate the relief efforts.
Using a grass roots approach, Anita has inspired the community
to organize many different approaches to involve students, staff,
and faculty in fund-raising activities on and off campus.
On campus these efforts included a craft sale sponsored
by Purling for a Purpose and MHC Collaborates; a Newman Club collection,
a
Frances
Perkins tag sale, a Residential Life penny drive, a special M&C’s
contribution, and an Outing Club contribution, as well as contributions
made by the senior class and the SGA. In addition, a raffle was
held for dinner at Spoleto and ice cream dessert at Harold’s
(worth $50) on October 20th. Also, on October 15th, the College
Democrats sold Mardi Gras beads and will donate the proceeds.
Notable off-campus participation has included Spelman
College’s
acceptance of 40 students who were enrolled in the affected area
colleges, and Spelman and MHC hope to collaborate in setting up
a relief scholarship. Alumna, Erin Grmishaw ’05, counselor
at the Tallulah Madison Center in Baton Rouge, has connected with
MHC to request a fund-raising drive for toiletries and school supplies.
Also, the South Hadley High School Tennis Club held a play-off
on the MHC courts. There was a fabulous turnout of both players
and spectators, and a substantial amount of money was raised. MHC
and other colleges also accepted many students from colleges in
the affected areas.
Other wonderful efforts: Karen Engell, Director of Health Services,
has collected substantial community donations and has arranged
to transport them to New Orleans; Vicha Hajdamowicz from Facilities
Management has helped the family of one of our students from the
affected area to relocate to Chicopee and found and delivered a
household of furniture. The family will need help this winter with
heating costs. Another family is being helped to relocate to the
area through the efforts of Eileen Raskouskas of the Student Program
Office. The creativity and generosity of the Mount Holyoke College
community has been commendable, and departments and organizations
are encouraged to keep the 2005-06 Katrina relief campaign in mind
throughout the rest of the academic year.
Thus far, half of the monies collected has been forwarded to The
American Red Cross which agency has been designated MHC’s
main beneficiary. The other half has been sent to various
entities supporting the relief effort.
Donations may be sent to the C.A.U.S.E. office at 306 Blanchard
Campus Center or mailed to MHC, PO Box 9121, made payable to The
American Red Cross or to Mount Holyoke College.
Also, feel free to contact Anita, Karen, Vicha, or Eileen, or check
the C.A.U.S.E. web site at http://www.mtholyoke.edu/org/cause/lettertocommunity.html
to learn more.
Get creative and keep the rally alive!
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