FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 30, 2005
Contact: Anika Mitchell Perkins
(662) 329-7124

MUW family helps fulfill wish lists for children of Hurricane Katrina evacuees
  
COLUMBUS, Miss. – Christmas came a little early for about 30 children of the Hurricane Katrina evacuees who are currently housed at Mississippi University for Women.
   
Items including bicycles, games, school supplies, clothing and a baby car seat were recently distributed to the children ranging in age from infant to 17 years old.
   
The wish lists started from the relief effort in the old Office of Community Living, according to Iika McCarter, diversity education and programs coordinator, who said essential items were distributed to the evacuees when they first arrived on campus.
   
“As time passed on there were various activities planned to help occupy the families’ time,” she said. “We wanted to give the children an opportunity to ask for items that they really wanted—items that they probably would have had or played with if they were still at home.”
   
Some of the children asked for something as simple as a jump rope or baby doll, she noted.
   
Faculty, staff, students, alumni and individuals in the community all contributed to the cause.
   
“The generosity has been overwhelming,” McCarter said. “It was a joy to see the children’s faces light up.”
   
McCarter said she hopes to do the wish lists again at a later date.