Big Blue Goes Crimson – How You Can Help Update
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 25, 2011) — The University of Kentucky community has banded together to aid our friends at the University of Alabama and in the city of Tuscaloosa, Ala., as they recover from the devastating tornado that struck one month ago.
Several organizations across campus have opportunities for the Big Blue Nation to help.
From the Center for Community Outreach (CCO)
This Friday, May 27 will be the final pickup date for the toiletries drive hosted by the CCO to benefit victims of the massive tornado that hit Tuscaloosa on Wednesday, April 27.
Items being collected include: toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, soap, shampoo, deodorant, facial tissue and toilet paper. Items will be picked up at the end of the day on Friday and a final shipment will be made to Tuscaloosa early Monday, thanks to the generous support of UK Athletics.
Drop off locations include:
- Center for Student Involvement, 106 Student Center
- Student Center Addition, Near the Help Desk just outside of the UK Bookstore
- Campus Recreation, Johnson Center
- Alumni Association, King Alumni House
- Ovid’s, William T. Young Library
- Blazer Hall, North Campus
- Commons Dining Facility, South Campus
The CCO, in partnership with the Kentucky Blood Center, will also host a blood drive for Alabama Disaster Relief on Wednesday, June 1, from 1 – 6 p.m. in 249 Student Center. All UK faculty, staff, students and community members are welcome to donate. Donors will also be able to designate a $10 donation to the American Red Cross Alabama Disaster Relief Fund.
To schedule an appointment, contact Jillian Pyatte, CCO program coordinator, at (859) 257-7243 or jillian.pyatte@uky.edu, or contact the Kentucky Blood Center at (859) 276-2534 or visit www.kybloodcenter.org. Walk-ins are also welcome. Donors from the community, please park in Parking Structure 5, located next to Kennedy Bookstore on South Limestone. Parking will be validated at the blood drive.
For more information about the toiletries drive or blood drive to benefit Alabama tornado victims, contact Sarah Hermsmeier, CCO assistant director, at (859) 257-4673 or shermsmeier@uky.edu.
From UK Student Government Association (SGA)
UK’s SGA has partnered with Wrap Up America to send blankets to tornado victims in Tuscaloosa. Click here to read the UKNow story about the partnership.
Visit www.wrapupamerica.org to donate a blanket.
Click here to read a statement of support for the University of Alabama by UK Student Government President and Vice President Micah Fielden and Nikki Hurt.
From the UK College of Education Literacy Clinic
University of Alabama graduate students created a Facebook event titled "Books for Bama," a drive for school supplies and books. While their immediate need is school supplies, the group’s long-term goal is to restock all the personal libraries of the impacted students and their families. Students, colleagues and friends around the country have answered the call, including the faculty and staff of the University of Kentucky College of Education’s Literacy Clinic.
Click here for more information on the “Books for Bama” effort.
MEDIA CONTACT: Katy Bennett, katy.bennett@uky.edu, (859) 257-1754, ext. 255