CCCU Campuses Keep Hands Stretched to Katrina Victims
Among Christian groups whose hearts have not forgotten the Katrina victims, member campuses of Council for Christian Colleges and Universities across the nation have raised funds and supplied manpower for the affected states of Mississippi, Louisiana
In the wake of numerous disasters that have struck the nation within the past couple of months, including Monday's Hurricane Wilma, the nation has not pulled off from its generous contributions as aid continues to pour in.
Dating back to the first major hurricane that shook the nation this year, Hurricane Katrina, relief agencies have grounded themselves on the Gulf Coast states, where aid money is still in need, for long-term recovery works.
Among Christian groups whose hearts have not forgotten the Katrina victims, member campuses of Council for Christian Colleges and Universities across the nation have raised funds and supplied manpower for the affected states of Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.
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According to a released report by the CCCU, 80 students, faculty and staff from Bryan College in Dayton, Tenn., took a fall break hurricane relief trip to evacuation centers, settlement areas and devastated neighborhoods in Louisiana. In such cities as Baton Rouge and New Orleans, the relief group helped evacuees move into private residences and cleaned up damaged homes.
A recent death study in Louisiana revealed that the majority who died after the storm were elderly and black. About 60 percent of the nearly 500 victims recovered and identified were 61 years of age or older, reported the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals.
As most of the displaced survivors have begun to return home, students from Erskine College in South Carolina joined local churches and organizations to provide transitional housing for the arrival of families.
Along with relief efforts made in direct contact with the affected people, many CCCU campuses have also initiated aid work in their own local areas.
The Huntington University Foresters in Indiana have earmarked three contests to aid the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics fund drive where proceeds will be directed to NAIA member institutions in the affected area. The association designated October as NAIA Katrina Relief Month.
Asbury College has also raised more than $30,000 in chapel offerings which went to The Salvation Army of which Asbury President Dr. Paul Rader was the international head and general before his presidency.
Future relief trips during Christmas and spring breaks have additionally been planned for by several campuses in collaboration with long-term rebuilding efforts.
As state government officials ask for billions of dollars in aid to cover costs for recovery that is expected to take several years, members of the CCCU commit to keep their hands stretched to provide continual assistance.
"Today, the work in the Gulf states continues, and so do Council institutions' contributions to the relief effort," said the CCCU released statement.
