SFA collecting donations for Hurricane Harvey relief efforts
September 1, 2017
Staff members from Stephen F. Austin State University's Student Recreation Center delivered donations to Drewery Construction as part of the university's Hurricane Harvey relief efforts. Pictured, from left, are Ben Telesca, assistant director of facilities and member services; Anna Niemeyer, graduate assistant for Outdoor Pursuits; Katie Taylor, graduate assistant for facilities and member services; Chris Morriss, coordinator of intramural sports and camps; and Ken Morton, director of campus recreation.
"Hurricane Harvey has been an unprecedented weather emergency and has destroyed property and displaced families statewide," said Dr. Adam Peck, assistant vice president and dean of Student Affairs. "Student safety has remained one of our top priorities during this disaster, and we are now working on the relief phase."
SFA and Nacogdoches community members can bring items such as diapers, baby formula, dog and cat food, first aid kits and water to the Student Recreation Center on the university campus. The center is open from 6 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, and noon to midnight Sunday. For a complete list of items being collected, visit sfasu.edu/harvey.
"Our students are hard workers with a heart for service," Peck said. "I have been impressed, but not surprised, at how eager they have been to lend a helping hand."
SFA's Student Government Association voted Wednesday night to allocate funds for hurricane relief efforts. Jessie Jenkins, SGA president, said the organization plans to use the funds to purchase essential items for Hurricane Harvey victims.
"SGA is working for our students and for our community," Jenkins said. "Many people were affected, and this will only be the beginning of what SGA will do for our fellow Lumberjacks and Texans."
SFA's Office of International Programs, located in Dugas Liberal Arts North, Room 402, also is serving as a donation location. The Student Association of Nutrition and Dietetics in the School of Human Sciences is accepting non-perishable food and toiletry items for the Houston Food Bank. A donation box is located at the Human Sciences North Building, Room 101.
Throughout the week, various organizations and fraternities have hosted events and collected donations to support relief efforts.
For more information about any of these initiatives, call (936) 468-2605.
Story by Kasi Dickerson, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.