Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced in a press release on Sept. 5 that State University of New York will host an online donation drive to support victims of Hurricane Harvey.
Oswego State has also worked to aid in the relief effort for Texas. Laura Smith, a senior, made a large informational poster and sat in the Mackin Complex lobby on Sept. 7, passing along information on how to donate. Smith brought her laptop so students could use it to donate right away. Those walking by could donate $10 through the online donation link for the Red Cross. Smith said about 20 people passing by the lobby showed interest in helping.
“It was the right thing to do,” Smith said. “I know it’s just a monetary donation, but that can buy clean water, clothing and anything else they might need right now.”
Smith believes it would help if Oswego State organized a donation drive to collect items such as clothes, canned goods and toys for children.
Campus Life, Alumni & Development and Community Services are in the process of planning a fundraising event during Homecoming Weekend to help support victims of Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma and other recent natural disasters.
“We applaud the SUNY-led Hurricane Harvey disaster relief effort and are proud of the generosity of our students and employees, who individually contributed toward this fundraising initiative,” said Chief Communication Officer Wayne Westervelt.
Other SUNY colleges have been very active in relief efforts to support the victims of Hurricane Harvey.
“New Yorkers know firsthand the devastation that Mother Nature can bring, and we are committed to doing everything we can to help Texas recover from Hurricane Harvey,” Cuomo said in the press release. “This drive demonstrates our core New York values of neighbors standing with neighbors in need, and I encourage all New Yorkers to donate what they can to help in these recovery efforts.”
These cash donations are going toward the SUNY Impact Foundation for needed supplies and will be shipped to Beaumont, Texas, aboard SUNY Maritime’s training vessel, “Empire State IX,” along with Massachusetts Maritime Academy’s training ship, “Kennedy” and Texas Maritime Academy’s training vessel, “General Rudder.” According to the SUNY Impact Foundation web page, $25,000 has been raised.
“Combined, these three vessels can house over 1,200 workers, thereby freeing up local hotel resources for displaced individuals,” according to SUNY Maritime’s web page.
SUNY Maritime’s Empire State IX was utilized to aid in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy in 2012 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
USA Today estimated over $160 billion in damages, including more than 100,000 damaged Texas homes following Hurricane Harvey’s destruction. With the loss of their possessions, thousands of citizens in Texas are in need of basic necessities such as food, water and clothing.
“We have kept in our thoughts and prayers a city whose infrastructure has been devastatingly compromised and whose residents have experienced terrible loss,” SUNY Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson said in a press release on Sept. 5. “We have also seen our nation at its best, as communities across the country have come together to offer their support.”
Photo: Dori Gronich | The Oswegonian
