Washington College Magazine
College Responds To Katrina
From food and clothing drives to free tuition for a displaced student from New Orleans, Washington College answered the call for help from victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Students organized several major relief efforts. Studentathletes set up a crew shell on the parking lot of a local Acme supermarket and encouraged patrons to "Fill the Boat" with food and baby items. They amassed that and more, collecting over 3,000 items from shoppers, along with $250 in cash donations and $250 in gift cards from Acme.
Rachel Boyle, Coordinator of Student-Athlete Services (far left), collects items for Katrina victims.
While several student groups assembled health kits, collection boxes sprang up all across campus for food and clothing, and the Writers' Union launched a book drive. Students shipped 27 boxes of books for all ages—from coloring books and crossword puzzles to biographies and fiction—to the Astrodome in Houston.
Sara Wuillermin '04 had alerted her former classmates about the book drive sponsored by Borders Books & Music, where she works.
"These people don't have much to do but wait," Wuillermin said. "We're hoping to give them something to help pass the time and provide some diversion."
Seniors Kelly Myler, Kate Amann and other students of the Writers' Union helped box up the books. "We were overwhelmed by people's generosity," says Amann.
Equally overwhelmed by the College's compassion, Eileen Tomczuk, a freshman studying at New Orleans' Tulane University, took advantage of WC's emergency enrollment plan and joined the Washington College community two weeks after the Katrina disaster.
Not only has she received a warm welcome from students across campus, but "all of my professors have been more than understanding. I am so thankful for everything that Washington College has provided me."
300 Washington Avenue, Chestertown, Maryland 21620 | 410-778-2800 | 800-422-1782