News

Students raise money toward Katrina relief

by Matt Quane
mquane@mscd.edu

Metro’s Student Government Assembly is sponsoring the Auraria Cares fund-raiser, which will raise money to provide relief to victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The fund-raiser, which began Sept. 12, will continue through Sept. 30 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the flagpole.

The SGA’s efforts, which are being headed by appointed Senator Christopher Anders, will be a tri-institutional effort, allowing student organizations from Metro, UCD and CCD to volunteer and donate to the cause.

“ We have student leaders from all three schools helping out, along with the offices of student life and activities from each school,” Anders said.

Auraria Cares was formed last week and is hoping to raise $4 from every student on the Auraria campus for a total of $200,000 to go directly to the American Red Cross.

“ There are people we have never met who need our help,” said Jesse Samora, SGA Speaker of the Senate.

During its last meeting, the SGA donated $1,000 of its funds to Auraria Cares.

“ I want to show that this SGA is not like the previous ones, that we are willing to get out and do things,” Samora said.

Fund-raiser organizers are hoping the communities surrounding Auraria will match the donations raised by Auraria Cares.

Donations are being collected at tables set up in the flagpole area. Cash can be placed directly into barrels at those tables. Campus police will collect the barrels and the donations will go into an account at the student union, which has been set up specifically for this fund-raiser.

Anders said the SGA plans to put up flyers and posters all over campus with information about the fundraiser—as well as having stickers available to those who donate and buttons for those who volunteer at the tables.

Anders said that while single volunteers are welcome, Auraria Cares is looking for pairs of students to volunteer.

Student organizations wishing to volunteer their time and services can register at the flagpole, in the Metro SGA office or on the Website at http://thunder1.cudenver.edu/studentlife/aurariacares.html.

Bonfils will sponsor a blood drive for the Katrina relief effort on campus from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sept. 21-22 in the North Classroom Atrium.

Auraria Cares urges students who can’t donate at the tables at the designated times to donate directly to the Red Cross at its Website at www.redcross.org or by phone at (800) HELP-NOW.