Weeks after Hurricane Katrina destroyed the Gulf Coast, students and faculty continue to be involved in relief efforts to aid victims.
Rotaract, a community service group the Murray Rotary Club sponsors, recently held a two-week-long fundraiser. The group raised more than $600 by collecting pocket change and by selling refreshments. Local businesses donated most of the supplies.
Mitchum Owen, public relations director of the club, said via e-mail, several business matched the collected online Rotaract donations, making its total earnings more than $1,000.
"We decided to do this fundraiser because we realized the magnitude of the disaster would need as much assistance as possible," Owen said.
The earnings were given to Murray and the national Red Cross.
Rotaract has more activities planed for the rest of the school year, including raising more money for the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund and sending Christmas gifts to needy children in other countries.
Students involved in American Humanics/Youth and Nonprofit Leadership are collecting food for Needline for use throughout the community and Camp WOW.
Roger Weis, director of American Humanics, said via e-mail students' involvement in activities strengthens Murray State's relationship with the community.
"Through the service-learning process, you can take what you are learning in class and put it to good use with a community service project," Weis said. "This provides students an opportunity to practice what they are learning."
Students and faculty can find more information on how to volunteer in the community by going to Murray State's Web site and clicking on "Hurricane Katrina relief efforts at Murray." On the Web page, there are links and phone numbers for local and national organizations that need volunteers.
All students are welcome to attend the next Rotaract meeting at 8 p.m. Thursday in the Barkley Room.
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