Tsunami Response: Groups launch relief campaign

Led by SGA, Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK), Alpha Phi Omega (APO) and the Georgia Tech Ambassadors, over 50 student organizations are working towards raising $60,000 in aid for earthquake and tsunami victims in Southeast Asia.

Tony Le, a fifth-year Management and Electrical Engineering major and president of ODK, is part of the team of students in charge of planning the effort. " We decided that we wanted to collaborate, " he said. " We have the resources at Tech to come together and do something great. "

According to Le, the role of ODK is to " organize and ensure that the organizations involved are collaborating and not competing with each other. "

Responsibilities have been divided up between the participating organizations. SGA and Move are in charge of collecting donations at tables located on Skiles Walkway and other places around campus. FAB has organized efforts in housing (going door-to-door to ask for donations). APO has set up buckets at various locations in which contributions can be placed while Greek organizations are raising awareness in fraternities and sororities. Each organization has taken charge of a specific area, Le said.

In addition to collecting donations, student leaders are planning events for which they expect large turnouts to raise money. APO set up a benefit concert scheduled for Jan. 25. Le also indicated that a raffle is a possibility and that students will ask for donations from small businesses in the area.

Fifth-year Management and STAC major Patricia Breed, a member of the steering committee of TEAM Buzz, which is also part of the fundraising effort, said that " the effort is unique; it is more effective to work together than having one organization take charge of the entire effort. "

The target, $60,000, came out of a challenge to reach every student and member of Tech staff and faculty, put forth by leaders of student organizations. The goal calls for a $3 contribution from each of the approximately 20,000 people at Tech. According to Le, the idea was first proposed at a leadership retreat.

Undergraduate Student Body President Amy Phuong, Vice President of Student Affairs William Schafer and Vice Provost Robert McMath spoke about the tragedy at a kickoff rally on Jan. 18.

Student leaders feel that the goal can be met and may be surpassed. Jessica Lynn McDonald, SGA chair of cultural affairs, said that " it looks like we will pass it [$60,000] based on how much help we have already been offered. People will be collecting money at basketball games, football games and other campus events. It is a huge effort. "

" It is definitely possible [to surpass $60,000], " Le said. " People have been very generous. We have not come across any negative attitudes. So far everyone has been helpful. "

However, Le said, student leaders still face challenges. " The biggest obstacle is being able to reach every single student and member of staff and faculty. "

" Getting the word out is another big obstacle, " Breed said. " We are trying to put out as many tables and buckets as we can, to try and reach everybody on campus. "

Phuong encouraged SGA members to make announcements in class as well as to ask students, professors and faculty to help out and donate. " The challenge of $60,000 includes the entire community, not just students, " she said.

All of the money, McDonald said, will go to AmeriCares.

" One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to the people who need it, " she said. " Even a small donation can make a big difference. "

" There are millions of homeless who need aid this second, " Le said. " This is the quickest way to reach them. We have to remember that they have lost everything that we take for granted - and it is difficult to imagine that being taken away. "

The campus-wide effort will continue until Jan. 26, the one-month marker of the tragedy.

A closing ceremony event will take place in the Ferst Center Saturday night, Jan. 29.

Students can help out by donating at the various tables or buckets around campus or at sports events.

Those interested in volunteering to collect donations at the tables or elsewhere should contact Jessica McDonald at jessica.mcdonald@sga.gatech.edu.

More information can be found at www.ttr.gatech.edu or at www.move.gatech.edu.