Campus kicks off relief campaign

By Elizabeth Leffall
The Collegian

More than 100 students stood around the walls, sat in chairs and on the floor in a crowded classroom in the Family and Food Sciences Building, Wednesday night, to see how their club or organization could contribute to hurricane victims.

Vice President of Student Affairs Paul Oliaro said he commended the students for taking an active interest and role in helping others.

“Thank you for your humanity, compassion and unselfishness,” Oliaro said. “This affects all of us and we feel compelled to do something about it. Thank you for wanting to be apart of the solution.”

Jennifer Tyler, from Alpha Kappa Alpha, reminded student groups that many banks offer match programs.

“Remember, that some banks in Fresno will match what you have, doubling your club’s contribution,” she said.

Chris Fiorentino, director of the Civic Engagement and Service-Learning, said the meeting was called to get dialogue going.

“These heads are better than one,” Fiorentino said pointing to students around the room. “Along with the university fundraising event, we can also do our part.”

Erica Neville, a junior accounting major said her club, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship was actually taking donations for World Vision and came to the meeting to get ideas.

“From what I’ve heard,” Neville said, “people really need the tangible stuff right now, it’s not all about money.”

Student organizations at the event included Associated Students, Alpha Kappa Psi, Trabajadores de la Raza, California Nursing Students Association, Delta Sigma Phi, Omega Psi Phi, Delta Sigma Theta, the Kinesiology Pedagogy Club and many more.


Among various fundraising drives on campus, President Welty officially announced Wednesday, that the entire campus will begin a formal comprehensive drive called the Fresno State Hurricane Relief Project.

Welty said in a written statement that the CSU community has the ability to bring hope to Katrina victims.

“This hope stems from the generosity and caring in the citizens of this great nation,” Welty said. “One hundred percent of all donations will go to these relief agencies.”

Welty said students should coordinate their own donation collections in their classes, departments and offices.

“Put out a collection container of any type in your office; ask colleagues to donate during the next staff meeting,” Welty said. “Urge students to donate during a class donation drive; encourage any student organization you may have contact with to organize their own event to raise money.”

The Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization (CEO) will raise money for the campaign at their concession stand during the Eagles concert tonight at the Save Mart Center.

The athletics department will be collecting donations for the American Red Cross during Fresno State’s first football game on Saturday.

Stations will be located at various sites around Bulldog Stadium.

One club representative said his club decided to be proactive by offering first aid training to students in case of future emergencies. As a result, the Kinesiology Pedagogy Club will host a certification class for adult CPR on Sept. 14 from 5-9 p.m. For more information call 297-8443.

The Employee Assistance and Development department on campus will hold a brown bag lunch and discussion on Sept. 15 to give family and friends an open forum to talk about their fears and concerns since being displaced from their Gulf Coast homes. The group will meet from 12-1 p.m. in USU room 317.

Margaret Gonsulin, a sociology professor, is gathering items such as toothbrushes, soap, combs and toothpaste to send to hurricane victims in Lafayette and Jennings, Louisiana. To donate call the sociology department at 278-2234.

Students who would like to volunteer to work with the Fresno chapter of the Red Cross should call Sharon Martinez at 455-1000. To date, this organization has provided 12 million meals to Katrina victims.

Among the generous donors to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, The Rolling Stones band members said Thursday they would donate $1 million. The band will play at the Save Mart Center in November.

“We can all do our part,” Welty said.

-Jenna Nielsen contributed to this report.