UCSD 'Cares' for Hurricane Victims in San Diego

By Jan Jennings I September 26, 2005

Sixth College student Jenna Noah, 20, checks over the list of items needed by victims of Hurricane Katrina at the Hurricane Katrina Relief table last week on Library Walk. Chatting with her, behind the table, is Marshall College Student Amber Garcia, 21, executive director of the Volunteer Connection which will continue accepting donations through Friday in their office on the second floor of the Price Center.

From pennies to non-perishable foods and bills to backpacks, the UCSD community is rallying to help victims of Hurricane Katrina who are seeking refuge in San Diego.

Currently there are more than 1,100 evacuees in San Diego with approximately 100 families staying in hotels in the UCSD area, according to the American Red Cross.

The UCSD Cares: Hurricane Katrina Relief Table - Help Us Help Our Neighbors was set up during Welcome Week last week on Library Walk, collecting donations of goods and money. The collection of goods will continue through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Volunteer Connection office on the second floor of the Price Center. Monetary donations also will continue to be collected at the UCSD Bookstore and the Birch Aquarium Bookshop through Friday. Monetary donations will be sent directly to the American Red Cross for San Diego relief.

In addition to money, items needed by evacuees include toiletries, first aid supplies, new toys, non-perishable food, gift cards, and backpacks filled with school supplies. These may be delivered to the Volunteer Connection office and will be donated to the evacuees in the UCSD area.

Stepping up to the Hurricane Katrina Relief table last week was one UCSD student juggling multiple boxes stacked up to his neck with donated items and a backpack to boot. Another student toted in a huge box filled with coins. Originally, it had been collected for Tsunami victims. Somehow, the student explained, that collection date was missed. But not to worry. The money now will go to Hurricane Katrina victims.

Another new student, a freshman from England, stopped by the Hurricane Katrina Relief Table, opened her change purse and said, "I have all this change, and I have no idea what it means yet." In it went into the mega-jar for money for the Katrina victims.

Muir College student Kimberly Truong, 19, makes a donation to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina at the Hurricane Katrina Relief table last week on Library Walk. Manning the table is Marshall College student Amber Garcia, 21, executive director of the Volunteer Connection which will continue accepting donations for Katrina victims through Friday in their office on the second floor of the Price Center.

All requested donations - toiletries, first aid supplies, toys, non-perishable food, gift cards, backpacks, and money - are being gratefully accepted for the evacuees by the sponsoring organizations of the Hurricane Katrina Relief efforts. These organizations include the UCSD Alumni Association, the UCSD Student Foundation, Student Organizations and Leadership Opportunities, Volunteer Connection, Association Students, College Councils, and the UCSD Bookstore.

UCSD students, staff and faculty are invited to pitch in.