Students mobilize to aid hurricane victims

SAN MARCOS—The Student Volunteer Connection at Texas State University-San Marcos is spearheading a fund drive on and off campus to aid the victims of hurricane Katrina, while the Non-Traditional Student Organization plans to focus on helping the littlest victims of the tragedy.

Rachel Offineer, a graduate assistant for the Student Volunteer Connection, explained that cans will be set up around campus to accept monetary donations for the hurricane victims. Donation cans will be distributed throughout residence halls, the Student Rec Center, the University Bookstore, Alkek Library, the information desk in hte LBJ Student Center and with the cashiers in the J.C. Kellam Building.

In addition, Offineer said that donation points would be set up at businesses throughout the community as well, at businesses including Italian Garden, Subway, Jo on the Go and the Colloquium.

“The student response has been awesome,” Offineer said. “I’ve had people coming by my office, wanting to know what they can do to help. Everybody’s on board to help however they can.”

While the donation drive is going on, the Non-Traditional Student Organization will be collecting diapers and baby food items, to help the youngest of the refugees. Donations can be made at the NTSO office on the fourth floor of the LBJ Student Center. Both drives will continue through Sept. 23.

For more information, call the Student Volunteer Connection at (512) 245-3219 or Offineer at (512) 245-1687.