Purdue News

September 14, 2001 Purdue students rally to raise money for Red Cross WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University students announced today (Friday, 9/14) that they plan to raise at least $20,000 for the American Red Cross, plus any items the Purdue community wishes to donate for the recovery workers in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. "We want to respond quickly and as a whole for this amazingly important cause," said Brenda Shea, president of Purdue Student Government and senior in the School of Liberal Arts. "Our entire campus family grieves for the victims of this tragic act and their families, and we want to do what little we can to help the recovery efforts." For at least the next two weeks, members of campus student organizations will collect cash and goods. All who contribute at least $1 will receive a button with the campaign slogan, "Reflect, Respect, Restore." Erin Taylor, a senior in the School of Consumer and Family Sciences, will chair the student campaign and said students have been looking for something to contribute during this time of need. "The student body has a renewed sense of patriotism and an overwhelming desire to reach out and help those who need it most. We are filled with the hope that our campus and our country can unite," Taylor said. There will be five collection points across campus. In addition to money, students, faculty, staff and community members are encouraged to donate blankets, T-shirts, socks, eye drops and any other items recovery workers and displaced families can use. Organizers hope to take the first truckload of supplies to New York the weekend of Sept. 22-23. "We're not sure how we're going to get to the east coast," Taylor said. "But even if Brenda and I have to drive it all ourselves, we will get the supplies to these brave people." Writer: Jenny Pratt, (765) 494-2079, jmpratt@purdue.edu Sources: Brenda Shea, (765) 532-3367, bshea@purdue.edu Erin Taylor, (765) 532-8450, etaylor7@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue Responds To Terrorist Attacks Page