Living Our Motto: Hurricane Katrina

Message from Dean Hawkinson – September 19, 2005

Fundraising for Red Cross:

Under ASWU direction, spare change jars have been distributed and are being collected from Goudy Commons, The Willamette Store, the Mailroom, the Millstream Market and the Montag Convenience Store.
I understand that Bon Appetit has made a corporate contribution. I am still trying to determine the amount of this.
Similarly, I am trying to determine whether we can set up a regular payroll deduction plan for employees in which the money would go into the Red Cross fund.
Change will also be collected at the Classified Luncheon on September 21 and the Administrative Luncheon on September 22.
The Willamette student organization, "Blazing Hearts and Wild Minds," is selling bead bracelets, the proceeds of which will go to the Red Cross.
Finally, the four CLA class councils will compete in selling New Orleans style Mardi Gras glass bead necklaces in their respective class colors. Representatives of each class will be selling their beads at the all-campus picnic during Reunion Weekend, the afternoon of September 24.
TIUA students and staff have contributed $700 and Kaneko Foundation doubled this to $1400 and sent it to the Red Cross.

Other activities:

Panhellenic Council is sponsoring a Red Cross blood drive on campus on September 27.
Holli Davenport is coordinating the collection of “health kits” in the Chaplain’s office for shipment to the Gulf area.
The office of Community Service Learning is investigating ways in which Willamette students can volunteer to help the families of Oregonians who are active in relief work in the Gulf area.
Community Service Learning is also planning two trips to the Gulf area (in January and March, respectively) for students, faculty and staff. These groups will undertake hands-on volunteer relief work. We anticipate that the January group, which may be done in conjunction with Western Oregon University, could attract a sizable number of participants.
During Reunion Weekend, fundraising for the trips to the Gulf states will take place at Jazz Night on October 7 and Classical Music Night on October 8, both at Smith Auditorium. In addition, l/2 of the money made on the sale of CDs will be devoted to the travel fund.
In connection with the CLA Dean’s office, Residence Life and Multicultural Affairs, I am planning a series of five panel discussions in residence halls. The panels will involve students, faculty, staff and community people. Topics will include media treatment of Katrina, issues of race and poverty, governmental response and political consequences, health issues in the wake of Katrina, the question of rebuilding New Orleans and the human challenge: refugee or evacuee. These panels should begin next week and last for about four weeks.