2008 Woodie Awards
Western helps Katrina's schoolbound
Western collects supplies for educators and students affected by hurricane Katrina.
Judy McClintock
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While Hurricane Katrina wiped away towns and homes late last month, Western doesn't want people to forget that she also destroyed schools.
In an effort to alleviate the upcoming strains that will be placed on the education system in the south, Western is collecting school supplies.
Susan Castillo, Oregon State of Education Superintendent, started a proposal earlier this month by asking community schools for their contributions.
Operation School Kit is preparing "resource kits" for teachers and students who were hit by the hurricane late last month.
Western has set up donations spots around campus where students, staff and faculty members can drop off their donations. Donation areas include: the College of Education Building Room 202, Administration Building Room 207 and the Werner University Center Information Desk.
Supplies needed have been categorized into lists for elementary students, middle school students, high school students and faculty. The lists can are available at any donation spot on campus.
In addition, Western is asking for student's and faculty's gently used reference, textbooks and backpacks that are no longer needed.
"We have a very strong focus on education here," said Deb Charlton, Administrative Assistant to the Vice President. "And how better to help than to get students and teachers back to some level of normalcy?"
All supplies must be donated on a personal level, said Charlton.
"This is not involving items we purchased with state dollars," she said.
Responses so far have been positive, Charlton said. In addition to supplies stacking up at the donation sites around campus, the Residence Hall Association collected funds during New Student Week that provided for nine additional resource kits, she said.
Other local hurricane Katrina relief efforts include:
Marion & Polk Schools Credit Union:
In collaboration with Portland Teachers Credit Union and a Vancouver-area credit union, MaPS Credit Union of Monmouth is collecting money for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. As of Sept. 15, MaPS had received more than $4,000 in donations. All money collected will go directly to Northwest Medical Teams (NMT), a nonprofit humanitarian aid organization working to reduce suffering around the world and in the Pacific Northwest. NMT volunteers are currently down in the southeast United States aiding victims. Donate directly online at www.mapscu.com or stop by MaPS, 167 N Knox Street, Monmouth, (503) 838-2224.
U.S. Bank:
In addition to holding collections for the Red Cross, NMT and other organizations, U.S. Bank of Monmouth is asking all members of the community to donate bottled water.
"It is one of their biggest needs," said Pam Williams, Monmouth branch manager, of hurricane victims. "And, it is an inexpensive item to contribute," she said. The bank will take their collected bottled water periodically to the Red Cross for shipment, but will maintain the donation for several weeks. To donate bottled water or money, stop by U.S. Bank, at 250 E Main St., Monmouth, (503) 838-1716.