Red Cross urging monetary donations

Several departments and individuals from NAU have expressed an interest in sending help to the devastated Gulf Coast.

The local chapter of the American Red Cross advises those who want to help to send money. "It's the most flexible way to help," says Ignacio Lopez, community advancement specialist in the Flagstaff office. He adds that the office is not staffed to sort and distribute material so is not accepting food and clothing at this time.

If you want to contribute monetarily:
For credit card donations, individuals can call 1-800-Help-Now or visit www.arizonaredcross.org. They can also mail a check to American Red Cross, 963 W. Route 66, suite 110, Flagstaff, AZ 86001. Write "Hurricane Katrina" in the memo line, and indicate any portion that you would like to contribute to local disaster relief.

Although there has been no reported need for blood donations to victims of the hurricane, the local blood supply is low, and the Red Cross encourages people to give blood for local needs. Call 1-800-Give-Life for information on the next blood drive.

If you want to contribute to another agency:
If you want to contribute to another agency, the Northern Arizona Food Bank has been asked by Operation Compassion, Feed the Children and Compassion Alliance to help supply support efforts for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. In conjunction with these organizations and others, they are going to be supplying as much food and material aid as possible.

Go to www.nafoodbank.org or mail a check to:

Northern Arizona Food Bank
Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort
3805 East Huntington Drive
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
Write "Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort" on the check.

You can make contributions directly to these agencies, or contact Molly Williams, NAU vice president for University Advancement, (928) 523-8558 or Molly.Williams@nau.edu, who will coordinate fund-raising efforts on campus.

President John Haeger also said the university will assist in any way it can to help students whose universities have been affected by Hurricane Katrina. NAU also is exploring the feasibility of offering online courses for these students.