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Jackson State University rallied together to collect relief supplies after Hurricane Harvey recently left a path of destruction throughout Texas.
Campus organizations and other units amassed a number of items at the Student Center, the Mississippi e-Center @JSU, Public Safety, the Research and Development Center on Ridgewood and other locations. Next week, supplies will be transported to the Lone Star State, where the storm affected Houston and other cities and caused billions of dollars in damage. Delivery is expected on Friday in Houston.
By the end of the campaign on Wednesday, Sept. 13, items collected were cleaning supplies, diapers, detergent, feminine products, first-aid kits and flashlights and batteries. Generous donations also included sheets and pillows, small toys, socks and underwear, towels and washcloths, toiletries and water.
Eltease Moore, JSU’s community service coordinator, said the goal of the relief effort was to work with all organizations “because we know the damage and unforeseen effects will be long-term.”
Moore said after students expressed interest in supporting victims, her office reached out to registered student organizations, the National Pan-Hellenic Council and the SGA for a combined initiative.
One JSU student volunteer said he was elated to see the benevolence of his peers and others.
Edgar Johnson, a senior computer engineering student, assisted his Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity in collecting supplies. “We’re always trying to do service to uplift the community, and this is a great opportunity to extend a helping hand to those in Texas affected by Hurricane Harvey,” he said.
The Chicago native also said, “As a leader and student, you should always practice empathy and try to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. If you were in that situation in Texas, you would appreciate people donating non-perishable items.”
Dr. Elayne H. Anthony, chair of JSU’s Department of Journalism and Media Studies, also took part in the collection effort. Families of at least two of her students from the Houston area were impacted by the ferocious storm. So, faculty and students donated many items.
“We wanted to help victims of Hurricane Harvey. We wanted to do whatever we could for our students with family and friends caught up in that disaster.” She thanked faculty, staff, students and others because “it’s amazing what we can do when we all get together. Our boxes are full,” Anthony said.
Overall, Moore called the relief effort spearheaded by students a total success.
“The beauty of this is that it shows our students are service-focused and civic-minded in times of need. A lot of students already have completed their 120 hours of required community service. The results of this relief effort show they will go above and beyond the call of duty,” Moore said.