Over the past couple days, I have had a knot in my stomach that has tightened every time I have watched television coverage of the devastation, read a news article or seen pictures of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. I haven’t been able to write about this terrible tragedy, because the scenes of destruction, the stories of lives lost and ruined have been overwhelming. It has hit too close to home for me.
If you are in the Knoxville area, here are some opportunities to donate to the Red Cross over the weekend.
The University of Tennessee Student Government Association will be at the following locations from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1 and Friday, Sept. 2:
Before and after the football game Saturday, Sept. 3, fans will be able to donate to the Red Cross:
Finally, Monday, Sept. 5, the football team will hold the second annual “OrangeAid.” Players will be giving autographs in return for a donation to the American Red Cross at both West Town Mall and Knoxville Center Mall from 6-7 p.m. T-shirts with the inscription “One Heartbeat” will also be available for $15 with the proceeds will go to the Red Cross’ relief efforts.
Hats off to my colleagues in the University’s Public Relations Department for promoting these opportunities.
UPDATE: I should mention that these opportunities will be for cash donations only. Do not bring items such as bottled water, food or clothing. The collection volunteers will not be prepared to handle those items. As this FEMA press release (via Glenn Reynolds) indicates, right now cash will be the biggest help to those who are affected. Donate to a relief agency and let the agency disperse the funds. I am recommending Samaritan’s Purse, The Salvation Army or the American Red Cross. If the Red Cross website is slow then make a donation to your local chapter. Donations to the Knoxville Area Chapter can be made online. Glenn Reynolds and N.Z. Bear both have posted lists of other relief organizations.
The University of Tennessee System has agreed to take in students from schools in the areas affected by Katrina.
The Knoxville campus has committed to accept all graduate students, up to 500 undergraduate students, and a total of 50 law students – 20 first-year law students and 30 students from other years. Because of the recent record freshman class size, there is a housing shortage, but university officials will seek accommodations.
In Chattanooga, the university will accept up to 100 undergraduates.
In Martin, the university will accept 50 students, and has available housing for 25 students.
“We fully support the governor's efforts, and our campuses are enthusiastically responding in various ways to assist in this time of national need,” President John Petersen said.
Josh Britton also lists some other schools taking in students: Georgia Tech, U of Tennessee, Rice, Arizona State, U of Arkansas, ULL, Centenary, McNeese St., Louisiana College, UL Monroe, LA Tech, Spring Hill, Arkansas State, Ole Miss, Mississippi College, Texas Christian, Baylor. Vanderbilt, UC Berkeley, U of Georgia are working out details to admit students.
Wow! Way to go! I am proud to be a Volunteer.
UPDATE: The other UT—Texas, that is—will also be admitting students.
UPDATE II: The University of Wisconsin-Madison will also be accepting displaced students. (Via Ann Althouse)
