The Fourth Estate
LBS Responds to Katrina’s WrathTuesday, October 18, 2005 By Marisa Johnson
Many Laguna Blanca students would consider failing a test, getting dumped, or fighting with friends and family a disaster. But after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf States in late August, leaving New Orleans flooded and completely uninhabitable and taking thousands of lives, most students have had to put things into perspective. The student response to the disaster has been phenomenal thus far, and this is all due to the determination of club and team leaders, both students and faculty, and to the generosity of the entire student body. On the first day of school, amid a hectic Opening Day assembly, a quiet plea for donations was made by Ms. Trish McHale, Community Service Advisor. But even though everyone was caught up in the frenzy involved with getting back to school, the request was heard and donations were made. The jar is currently located in the office, and so far it holds about $600. In addition to the original jar, there is now a place to donate money at the student store. But Ms. McHale isn’t the sole pioneer for the school’s relief effort. The Interact Club, led by seniors Laura Hernandez and Sherilyn Bogatz and advised by Ms. McHale, held a bake sale to raise more money towards relief for hurricane victims. Student Council also contributed to the relief funds. Aside from installing a donations box in the student store, Student Council decided to donate all of the proceeds from the Disco Dance, $143 worth, to Hurricane Katrina relief. Students have also participated in relief efforts off-campus. For example, when Ms. McHale announced that Kathy Clenet had asked for donations to the “Pack a Suitcase” drive, faculty members brought packed suitcases filled with toiletries, clothes, and other necessities for the victims to various Pitts and Bachman Real Estate offices. The suitcases were transported by Mammoth Moving Company to the victims in Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. So far, it is estimated that over 2,500 suitcases have been packed, over 500 people have volunteered to sort the donations, and more than 1,000 individuals from all over Santa Barbara have donated items for the drive. French teacher Ms. Marni Geist was among the volunteers that helped sort the goods. “It was really sad because they had too much stuff and not enough volunteers to sort it all. It was a really great concept, but there weren’t enough people helping out,” said Ms. Geist. She and other volunteers opened the suitcases, sorted them into different suitcases that could be given to a specific type of person—a large, middle aged, female, for example—and repacked the newly sorted goods. Also, many donations came in bags and boxes instead of suitcases so these donations had to be dealt with as well. It turned out that only one-third of the donations could fit in the trucks, so many of the goods are being given to the local chapter of the Salvation Army. Besides participating in the Pack a Suitcase Drive, students, faculty, and their families have made donations of both manpower and money to organizations such as Direct Relief International and the American Red Cross. Even though Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans over a month ago, the need for money and supplies for victims has not ceased, and neither have the Laguna Blanca relief efforts. The football team is taking advantage of the promise of big home crowds and their ability to rack up plenty of points against opponents by getting pledges from local businesses to donate money for every touchdown scored by the Owls at an upcoming game. Meanwhile, the donation jars are still in the office and student store, Interact Club continues to plan projects and methods of raising money, and local philanthropies are still providing relief to the hurricane victims. On Oct. 20, a special assembly featuring speaker Mike Stoker will be held. Mr. Stoker will share with the students his experiences volunteering to help the hurricane victims. There is still plenty to do as far as helping the displaced victims. But if the past month is any indication, the student body will not cease to provide relief to those in need. § |