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MC offers campus, collects funds, blood for Katrina victims
Manchester College is offering its campus – and special arrangements –
to students whose colleges or universities are closed because of
Hurricane Katrina. In addition, the Manchester College community is
uniting to raise funds and donate blood for the victims of the disaster
– and is inviting its neighbors to join the relief effort.
The liberal arts college will speed financial aid packaging and course
registration, and waive application and late-registration fees to the
transfer students, said David F. McFadden, executive vice president. The
offer is extended to students already admitted or enrolled in four-year
baccalaureate colleges or universities closed by the hurricane and
resulting flooding.
The college will work with students on a case-by-case basis, McFadden
said. If the advance work is completed by Sept. 9, the students can
begin classes no later than Sept. 12. MC classes began Aug. 31.
Meanwhile, Manchester is collecting monetary donations in collaboration
with Church of the Brethren and Church World Service. The Brethren
Service Center already has shipped 5,000 blankets, 5,000 emergency kits
and $15,000 in its intent to provide at least $300,000 in initial aid to
the Hurricane Katrina disaster area.
Manchester will collect cash or check donations in its campus business
office and forward them to the Church of the Brethren emergency Disaster
Fund. Persons from outside the College are welcome – and encouraged – to
donate through this effort.
Manchester is a college of the Church of the Brethren, a denomination
experienced with long-term disaster relief. “The Brethren emergency
response systems have provided monetary relief, assistance from
volunteers who help with rebuilding, and extensive child care in
emergency shelters for decades,” notes MC President Jo Young Switzer.
“The fund has exceptionally low overhead, so donations make a huge
impact.”
In addition, the college is working with the Red Cross to conduct a
special blood drive on Tuesday, Sept. 13. The event, organized by the
campus Office of Volunteer Services, will be 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the
College Union, lower level. The community is invited.
Additional campus fund-raisers are under way, including collections
at home football games, at a community Battle of the Bands on the campus
mall on Saturday, Sept. 10 and by Campus Ministry. Residence halls are
waging a challenge and other student collections are in the works. The college
also will
organize events that encourage students to reduce their driving
and redirect that gasoline money for the relief efforts, President
Switzer said.
“We thank those who are stepping forward to support those affected by
this catastrophe,” she said. “The impact on their lives reminds us of
the fragility of our lives and the precious privileges that we too often
take for granted.”
To donate, visit the campus business office or send checks to Disaster
Relief, Business Office, Manchester College, 604 E. College Ave., North
Manchester, IN 46962. Please make checks to Emergency Disaster Fund.
The donations are tax-deductible. For more information on the Church of
the Brethren Emergency Response Fund, see
www.brethren.org/genbd/ersm/
For more about the special enrollment of students affected by Hurricane
Katrina, contact McFadden at
dfm@manchester.edu or
800-852-3648. For more about Manchester College, visit
www.manchester.edu
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What can I do?
Give at the Business Office
8 a.m. to 5 p.m., M-F
Donate blood
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 13
College Union, lower
Vote for your favorite band at Battle
of the Bands
noon to 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 10
College mall
Join the Residence Hall
$2,500 competition
Each hall has its own
unique fund-raiser
Give at home football games
Saturdays, Sept. 3
Sept. 24
Oct. 1
Oct. 15
Nov. 12
Give at Dessert Night
7 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 4
Petersime Chapel
Spread the word about MC's
enrollment offer for student victims of
Katrina
**All money donations will go to the
Business Office for routing to the Church of the Brethren's drive for
Church World Service. |
