NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University student groups responded to hurricane cleanup efforts by collecting and filling 100 cleaning kit buckets that will be transported to the Carolinas to help those affected by Hurricane Florence. NSU’s Student Government Association provided funds to purchase buckets and provided a list of specific items for clubs, Greek organizations and other student groups to fill the buckets.
“The student response has been overwhelmingly positive.,” said Jacob Ellis, Student Government Association president. “The students have really gotten on board with this project in support of the hurricane relief. I was very pleased with the student participation and it shows that our student body can be united by a common cause for the aid and support of others. Projects like these make me proud to be a Demon.”
Dr. Curt Phifer, professor of biology, spearheaded the effort and oversaw students loading the buckets into a trailer Tuesday morning that he drove to the United Methodist Center on Relief in Baldwin. From there, they will be shipped to affected areas. Phifer, who has spearheaded flood relief efforts on campus in the past, said UMCOR had trucks ready to roll to the Carolinas before the storm was over and has since sent loaded 18-wheelers to flooded areas.
The 5-gallon buckets are stocked with detergents, brushes, bug spray, clothespins, trash bags, gloves and other items with instructions on how to assemble each bucket.
Students on NSU’s Shreveport campus contributed by purchasing 500 N-95 masks that were not available in Natchitoches. Other student groups volunteered to check each bucket to make sure all requested supplies were included.
Students were encouraged to participate through a competition to see who could fill the most buckets. Winners were Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority and Alpha Lambda Delta first-year honor society.
