PUC student organizations continue to aid flood victims

Purdue University Calumet student organizations are continuing to aid flood victims through the holiday season by collecting monetary, clothing and food donations.

Volunteers also plan to continue participating in Saturday morning clean-ups until their services are no longer needed, Alkali Sadiki-Shakur, coordinator of Purdue Calumet’s McNair Achievement Program, said.

Sadiki-Shakur also has been coordinating activities with the Social Justice Club, one of several Purdue Calumet student organizations involved in relief efforts. The student volunteers have been involved with clean-up and debris-moving activities in Munster and Gary.

“This is an opportunity for students to learn to give back to a community, and it teaches about the real world,” Sadiki-Shakur said. “What happened here didn’t happen because of economics; these events don’t discriminate. If you’re going to be ‘one people,’ then what happens to the people around you happens to everyone.”

Other Purdue Calumet organizations involved in relief and clean-up activities include Sigma Gamma Rho sorority and Black Student Union. Approximately $1,100 was raised and donated to flood victims on behalf of Purdue Calumet organizations, students, staff and faculty.

Purdue Calumet Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Melinda K. Dalgarn used campus donations to purchase 11 double blankets and 35 bags of canned and boxed food items for the Lake Area United Way.

“I made it clear to those who were curious about my rather large purchase that it was being made as a result of the generosity of Purdue Calumet students, staff and faculty,” Dalgarn said.

Efforts to provide needed winter items continue. The Social Justice Club has been involved in a clothing drive for grade school students at Bernard C. Watson Academy for Boys in Gary.

For additional information, or to make a donation, individuals are invited to contact Purdue Calumet’s Office of Student Affairs at 219/989-2367 or 800/HI-PURDUE, ext. 2367.

News Release Date: December 8, 2008