University of Arkansas Fayetteville - Razorback Yearbook (Fayetteville, AR)

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UA students ban together to help Arkansas’ neighbors to the south. On August 25, Tropical Storm Katrina became the fourth hurricane of the 2005 season. Over the next four days, the nation hoped for the best and held its breath, waiting as the storm rose and diminished in size and strength. But on August 29, Hurricane Katrina made landfall with sustained winds of 145 mph, wreaking havoc and destruction on the Gulf Coast. In the wake of the storm, the death toll was upwards of 1,300. An estimated five million people were left without power and more than a million people were displaced, mak¬ ing Katrina the most destructive and costliest natural disaster in the history of the United States. As countless numbers of people around the world began reaching out to survivors °f the hurricane, UA students began reaching out as well, sacrificing their time to help those in need. In the aftermath of Katrina, I was in disbelief at the lack °f response from our government,” Nate Looney, ASG com- naittee member said. “After seeing our fellow Americans in utter despair and complete dismay, I felt personally respon¬ sible to try to make a difference.” The hurricane relief effort was estimated to cost more than $2 billion, acco rding to the American Red Cross. Stu¬ dent organizations began working together to plan events to raise money to donate to the Red Cross. One of the largest relief efforts was the collection of donations at the first two Razorback football games, Sept. 3 and 10. Students stood outside and in the stadium, greeting fans as they entered and collecting donations in boxes labeled Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Fund. Volunteers were members of Circle Alpha Phi Omega, Gamma Beta Phi, Associated Student Government, Volunteer Action Center, National Association of Black Accountants, Social Work Action Group, Block and Bridle, Gamma Eta, Lambda Chi Alpha and Kappa Sigma, as well as many “non-affiliated” volunteer students who just wanted to help out. The donations collected at both football games totaled about $35,000. Students also had several other opportunities to give to the Red Cross relief fund, such as the Free Fall Concert with The Bravery, where about $300 in donations were collected. Other relief efforts throughout the fall semester included collecting canned goods for the Ozark Food Bank and send¬ ing support banners to students at LSU and UL-Monroe. , “Being a neighbor state to Louisiana, I believe the trag¬ edy of Katrina deeply struck the hearts of the students at the UA,” Looney said. “Many students were directly con¬ nected to Louisiana because they once lived there; however, I believe that because of the magnitude of the devastation of this tragedy that every student was deeply concerned for America’s well being.” But whether they donated their time, money or belong¬ ings, UA students made certain they did all they could to respond to those in need and give support to the victims Hurricane Katrina left in her wake. “We were driven by our insatiable desire to make a differ¬ ence, our thirst to help the ones in need and our hope that we could help someone less fortunate,” Looney said. “We looked at this situation as an opportunity to work together through many different organizations and truly make a dif¬ ference. Due to our teamwork, our avid desire to give help to the victims and by great leadership by student organizations, we were able to accomplish our goals and hopefully change someone’s life for the better.” by Megan Garner

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A volunteer takes donations for the Red Cross Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief I und outside Ra orback Stadium before the football season- opener against Missouri State. Students volunteered their time, money and pos¬ sessions to aid victims of the hurricane. Photo by Wes Putt

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Sophomore I lesa liillie stocks up on Ra orback apparel for the semesters she would spend at the UA. Many students escaping Hurricane Katrinas wrath chose the UA to return to their home state. Photo by Wes Putt w] 4Pr T r j