Students offer help to victims of hurricane

Groups collect money, goods for La. residents

By: DJ Slater

Posted: 9/15/05

It may not be evident from his face, but if you ask him, sophomore John Dave said he feels the effects of Hurricane Katrina even here in Wisconsin.

That's because he lived in New Orleans for three years during his early childhood. While there, he developed a close relationship with Jordan Francis and her family that has encouraged him to venture there every other year.

"Every time I go there, I appreciate the town more," Dave said. "That's where I consider my roots."

However, since Hurricane Katrina, Dave hasn't heard anything from the Francis family.

"To have good friends there ... it makes you nervous," he said. "Every day you go to bed kind of wondering, 'I hope everything's alright down there.'"

This has given Dave, a Phi Sigma Phi member, the energy to spend eight hours over Monday and Tuesday on the Campus Mall selling donuts and coffee with various Greek organizations to raise money for the American Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Disaster Fund.

This sale isn't the only effort going on at UW-Eau Claire; it is one of many, said Paula Stuettgen, senior coordinator of Student Development and Progress.

"The Katrina effort is going to go on for a long time, and those proceeds are going to go to the Red Cross," she said. "Everybody wants to do something. And with all these opportunities, everyone has a chance to do something."

Eau Claire has offered to waive out-of-state tuition for 15 to 20 students from universities closed due to hurricane damage.

As of Wednesday, however, the university had received only one inquiry, but no one has submitted an application, said Heather Pearson, associate director of admissions. The application deadline is Friday, Sept. 23.

"It's still possible that we might have students enroll within the next week," she said.

Comparatively, 108 displaced students are enrolled at UW-Madison, 25 at UW-Milwaukee, six at UW-Whitewater, five each at UW-Oshkosh and UW-Parkside and one at UW-River Falls, UW campus officials said.

The decision to allow Wisconsin universities to waive out-of-state tuition came by unanimous vote from the UW System Board of Regents during its Friday meeting.

"We always have a tendency to respond to an immediate thing," said Doug Bradley, director of communications for the UW System. "It's going to take these campuses and communities several months to get back on their feet."

Another event at Eau Claire that runs through Friday is "Operation Classroom," a collective effort with the university's student organizations and area schools to provide aid to Alexandria, La., a city overwhelmed with refugees.

Donations consist of three types of items: necessities, such as clothing; packs of school supplies, bed sheets, etc.; and extras like toys or games.

The Community Action and Lifelong Learning volunteer service program also raised money Wednesday at the Blugold Organizations Bash for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the American Humane Society. The money will aid animals stranded throughout Louisiana.

"One of the things that's been very impressive to me ... is the overwhelming positive response in the university community and in the Eau Claire community as well," said Karl Markgraf, director of international education. "It says a lot about our society."

Senior Kristina Kemp, who raised $500 with other nursing majors for the relief effort during a car wash Saturday at Kerm's on Water Street, 329 Water St., said it's encouraging to see the community come together to support the cause. She said she was a bit disappointed, however, that it was difficult to get volunteers to run the car wash on a Saturday.

"It's really hard for people to step back and put ourselves in their shoes," she said. "Everyone can do their part to help. No one should feel helpless."

As Dave sat casually in his chair, a student approached the bowl and dropped in $20. She said she didn't need the donuts or the coffee, but just wanted to make the donation.

Glancing at the offering, Dave smiled as the woman walked on. The bowl later would contain $230.

"It's a good feeling for us because we know we're helping," he said. "We're doing something right."