Utah State Launches ‘Wave of Relief’ Fundraising Campaign; Schedules Tsunami Memorial
The Associated Students of Utah State University (ASUSU), the International Student Council and the university’s Student Services and International Students and Scholars offices announce the beginning of the Wave of Relief fundraising campaign to aid South Asian communities devastated by the Dec. 26 tsunami. The group also invites the community to a memorial gathering Wednesday, Jan. 26, the one-month anniversary of the disaster.
“Along with people around the world, our campus was shocked by the disaster, which touched the lives of many of our students,” said Gary Chambers, associate vice president for Student Services and fundraising committee chair. “Through our Wave of Relief campaign we seek to help those in need rebuild their lives.”
The Wave of Relief committee, which consists of students and staff, asks members of the Utah State University community to consider donating one hour’s wage to the relief effort; the goal is to raise $100,000. Funds collected on campus will be divided equally among the following five charities: 1) the International Red Cross; 2) the International Medical Corps; 3) the Prime Minister’s Office of Sri Lanka; 4) the Thai Tsunami Relief Fund; and 5) the South Indian Federation for Fishermen Society, a non-profit group helping fishermen in India to reestablish their livelihoods.
“The committee selected beneficiaries that help a broad range of constituents in all of the affected countries, as well as charities working to assist hometown communities of Utah State students,” said Chambers.
Collection containers are stationed throughout campus, said Chambers, including the Student Services office and other locations throughout the Taggart Student Center (TSC), Old Main room 338, Emma Eccles Jones Education building room 109, Eccles Conference Center room 101, the circulation desks of the Merrill and SciTech Libraries, Business building room 202 and the main offices of Facilities and Purchasing. The fundraising campaign will conclude Jan. 31.
A memorial gathering to honor the memory of tsunami victims will be held in the International/Sunburst Lounge of the TSC on Jan. 26. The ceremony begins at 6:15 p.m., commemorating the 6:15 a.m. onset of the tsunami, organizers said. Students representing countries affected by the tragedy will speak during the gathering, and a moment of silence honoring the tsunami victims will be observed. Representatives from Utah State’s ROTC will also participate in the memorial ceremony.
Utah State’s Counseling Center and International Students and Scholars office, both of which are located in the TSC, continue to offer grief counseling for any students, faculty or staff personally impacted by the disaster.
For more information about Utah State’s tsunami response activities is available at a new Web site. For further information about the Wave of Relief fundraising campaign, contact Utah State’s Vice President for Student Services office, located in TSC room 220, at 435-797-1712.
Writer: Mary-Ann Muffoletto, 435-797-1429; maryann.muffoletto@usu.edu
Contact: Gary Chambers, 435-797-0226; gary.chambers@usu.edu
Student volunteers Shehan De Silva and Nickoli Hambly (seated) accept a donation for the Wave of Relief tsunami fund. The student-led campaign hopes to raise $100,000 for disaster relief.
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