FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 2, 2005
Contact: Anika Mitchell Perkins
(662) 329-7124

MUW family offers help to evacuees on and off campus

COLUMBUS, Miss. – A fund has been set up for Hurricane Katrina evacuees who are currently housed on the campus of Mississippi University for Women.
   
Established at the request of Connie Kossen, class of 1964 and chairman of the MUW Foundation Board, the MUW Evacuee Fund will directly benefit evacuees on campus.
   
The Foundation has made a significant contribution to the fund to meet the immediate need, but will accept donations to provide much needed assistance.

Kossen, of Jackson, has been without power, telephone or Internet service. Despite her own worries, she relayed in a cell phone conversation that her thoughts are with “all of our alumni and friends who have been affected by this disaster.”

Donations should be earmarked “MUW Evacuee Fund” and mailed to MUW Foundation, 1100 College Street MUW 1618, Columbus, MS 39701.

MUW faculty, staff and students continue to work around the clock to assist evacuees on and off campus.

The Culinary Arts Institute began preparing lunch and dinner around 7:30 a.m. on Thursday for the local Salvation Army.

Chef W. Scott McKenzie, interim Culinary Arts Institute director, is heading the effort, which will continue through next week if necessary.

“Everything went very well and I know we could double the amount produced with relative ease.”

After learning about all of the children in the area from New Orleans, the Culinary Arts Institute volunteers stayed to make cookies. Cookies and flavored popcorn also were prepared for the evacuees on campus.

“These are just little things, but for people who have lost much, a little can help them believe that there are folks who care out there.

In addition to housing evacuees, the Office of Community Living is making Internet and telephones more accessible.

Chris Holland, director of Community Living, said, “We are setting up a room in our old office in Hogarth for evacuees to use both the Internet and phone. We will staff the area during normal business hours with the possibility of running later in the night if needed.”

Holland said several campus offices have offered to host events, including a barbecue.

The Student Programming Board will host a Family Fun Night tonight for the evacuees on campus. Activities such as games and a movie will began at 7 p.m. in Hogarth W Room.

On Thursday afternoon, boxes of non-perishable food, toiletries and emergency supplies were collected by campus organizations through the Office of Community Service, which is working with WCBI television station and other local agencies to assist victims of the disaster.

Holland said, “It’s truly wonderful how everyone is showing their support in this time of need.

The MUW Police Department also is collecting clothing for the families on campus.

And due to the difficulty of communicating, Stephen Taylor, MUW’s webmaster and 1999 graduate, started an on-line “I’m OK” list.

The page is posted on MUW’s alumni website listing MUW alumni and friends who are OK after the hurricane. To add your name to the list, email your name, city and class year to staylor@muw.edu. Individuals may also call the Office of Alumni Affairs at (662) 329-7295 or toll free 1-877-462-8439.

MUW President Claudia A. Limbert said,  "As far as I am concerned, these are our guests so we want to do all we can for them. I have heard many amazing and horrifying stories. We want to help them get their lives back together."