Campus News 2005-2006 Academic Year

Message from President Trombley:
Help the Victims of Hurricane Katrina

September 8, 2005

Dear Pitzer Community Members,

Over the past week students, faculty, staff, alumni and trustees have contacted my office to ask how you can assist with the relief efforts underway in the Gulf States. I have been contacted by the Ontario chapter of the Red Cross who is in urgent need of people to help them set up transitional living spaces for families displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

The Red Cross is asking for people to help carry and set up cots and supplies at their various staging areas, so that when the families arrive over the course of the weekend, they will be greeted by a welcoming and prepared facility. The tasks will require heavy lifting and carrying.

Therefore I ask you, if you have time available either tomorrow (Thursday) or on Monday to meet at 9:30 a.m. in front of the Gold Student Center. Pitzer is making three vans available, and if you have personal transportation it would be useful for carpooling. Expect that you will be gone most of the day, and Bon Appetit has kindly donated a sack lunch for all volunteers.

The Red Cross has asked for at least 25 volunteers for each day, Thursday and Monday. If you are interested in volunteering your time, please reply to this email and specify which day you will be participating. The coordinator for our efforts will be Jim Marchant, Dean of Students.

An additional way in which the community can assist these families is by participating in a linen drive. The Red Cross Ontario chapter is in urgent need of fifty new twin sheet sets, fifty new standard size pillows, and fifty new standard size pillowcases. The Red Cross has asked that these items be donated in their original packaging. The collection center for the linen drive is the Treasurer’s Office, in the McConnell Center, upstairs from the dining hall.

Thank you for all your offers of support. Your generosity exemplifies Pitzer’s spirit and commitment to serving the community.

Sincerely,
Laura Skandera Trombley
President
Pitzer College