As the death toll and damages continue to mount in Katrinas aftermath, many West Virginia University organizations are mobilizing to raise money and collect supplies for survivors of the hurricane that ravaged Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and South Florida earlier this week.
WVU s Student Health Advisory Board is planning in the days ahead to launch a campus-wide relief effort similar to last JanuarysDollars for Disastercampaign that raised more than $10,000 for tsunami victims in Thailand. More details will follow as plans are finalized.
Other collection efforts are being organized by the Student Government Association and Athleticspossibly surrounding the first home game of the season.
Student service learning trips have also been a tradition at WVU for many years following times of state and national disasters, officials say. WVU students are likely to begin planning outreach trips to these hurricane-ravaged areas during the upcoming Thanksgiving recess.
In the meantime, the WVU community is encouraged to make financial and blood donations to the American Red Cross as an immediate way to help.
The best way for people to help is through a financial contribution to the American Red Cross disaster relief fund,said local Red Cross public affairs officer Chris Dale.
Financial contributions will allow the organization to purchase supplies and put money back in the areas that are affected, he said.
To send a contribution, send checks made out to American Red Cross to either: American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013or locally, American Red Cross, 1299 Pineview Drive, Suite 3, Morgantown, WV 26505 .
Further details can be obtained by calling the Morgantown office at 304-598-9500 or going online atwww.redcross.org.
As relief efforts begin, the gift of blood is another good way to help, Dale said.
The Bruceton Mills Fire Hall in neighboring Preston County is the site of a drive Thursday (Sept. 1) from 2-7 p.m., and a drive Friday (Sept. 2) will be from 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., at the Morgantown Blood Center on Pineview Drive.
WVU will also host a blood drive Wednesday, Sept. 7, from 1-7 p.m. at Arnold Hall on the Downtown Campus.
Morgantowns Salvation Army detachment is also accepting donations as it readies to send personnel to the hurricane area. To donate to the Morgantown Salvation Army, call 304-296-3525 or go online atwww.salvationarmyusa.org.
Visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency Website atwww.fema.orgfor other ways to assist with disaster relief.
Some 185 WVU students hail from Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and South Florida, and WVU s Office of Student Affairs is interested in knowing about the well-being of those studentsfamiliesor if anyone is experiencing any family difficulties or loss surrounding the tragedy. To date, no students have come forward.