Utah
State launches 'Wave of Relief' fundraising campaign,
schedules tsunami memorial
January 21, 2005 | LOGAN — 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, 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,
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, visit www.usu.edu/featurestories/tsunami.
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.
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