The Communique

Issue date: 1/20/05 Section: News

For both the U.S. and the world 2004 was a year full of natural disasters. From the hurricanes in Florida to the floods in Ohio, this past year hit many communities hard. The disaster that hit the hardest this past year was the tsunamis of Southern Asia.
The largest earthquake in 40 years exploded under the sea off of the coast of Indonesia on Dec. 26, 2004. The earthquake caused an enormous tsunami that crashed into Asia, killing over 100,000 people.
The giant wave's force could be felt as far away as the African coast. This natural disaster left many homeless, wounded, dead and without family.
After this tragic event, many organizations in the United States stepped up to help the people of South Asia.
The student senate at Kirkwood Community College decided to get involved with relief efforts for the tsunami victims.
"We didn't want to wait on this," said Coordinator of Clubs, Organizations and Programs, Shirlee Deitrich. "As soon as we got back from break, the Kirkwood faculty were asking me what we were going to do about this."
The week of Jan. 18-22 was named "Tsunami Relief Fund Week' at Kirkwood, and the student senate did as much as they could to raise money for the people of Asia, as well as raise awareness of the students at KCC.
Bright orange was the chosen color for the awareness week so it would be easily noticed. The Student Senate put up bright orange tsunami posters all over campus and even used neon orange for their donation buckets.
To kick the week off, Kirkwood's Student Senate sold pizza on Tuesday and had a bake sale on Wednesday. On Thursday, the student senate will sell coffee and hot chocolate for $1 on the first floor of Iowa Hall from 10 a.m. to noon. On Friday students will be seen all over campus with their bright orange buckets, collecting donations for the tsunami victims.
The student senate will even collect donations at the Kirkwood men's and women's basketball games on Saturday.
For the entire week of Jan. 18-22, the Kirkwood Student Life will have a donation booth located on the first floor of Iowa Hall, in front of Student Life. Donations can be given here at any time and cash, as well as checks, are accepted.
As soon as "Tsunami Relief Fund Week" is over, the Kirkwood Student Senate will send all of the donations to the American Red Cross. From there, 100 percent of the money will be sent to the tsunami victims of South Asia. This money will help them to get food, water, healthcare, shelter and basic supplies such as tents and sleeping mats.
To make a donation individuals may give cash or checks to a member of the student senate carrying a bright orange donation bucket, or drop off their donations at the booth in Iowa Hall. Checks should be made to the American Red Cross or Kirkwood Community College.
Kirkwood students and faculty can make a donation directly through the American Red Cross Grant Wood Area Chapter, located in Cedar Rapids. According to Director of Communications for the Grant Wood Area Chapter, Kelly Sittig, the Red Cross will accept cash, checks and credit cards.

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