Brandeis unites for Hurricane Harvey relief

harvey mapPhoto/Mike Lovett

Less than a week has passed since the Brandeis community returned from summer break, but it’s taken no time for the campus to show it’s caring and generous spirit.

Staff from the Department of Community Service kick-started an effort to help victims of Hurricane Harvey, but students, faculty and staff from across the university came together with the Waltham Group to make no-sew blankets in the Fellows Garden on Sept. 1 – just two days after the start of fall classes.

In one day, the Brandeis community managed to turn dozens of colorful fleeces into blankets that will be sent to the Greater Houston Food Bank. A care card roughly the size of a picnic table – signed with encouraging messages and thoughtful prayers – will be sent with the blankets to Texas along with toiletries and personal care products this week. The Intercultural Center, Student Union, Multifaith Chaplaincy, Hillel, Waltham Group and the Department of Community Service will continue to accept monetary contributions to support Harvey relief through the month of September.

“Students have jumped right in and have gotten involved,” said Community Service director Lucas Malo. “This is really a true community event with a connection between faculty, staff and students. They’ve acknowledged that we can all contribute in some way. What we also learned from this event in particular is that volunteers are having conversations with one another about staying engaged in community service.”

Marissa Lazaroff ’18, the Waltham Group co-president, knew the entire Brandeis community would respond enthusiastically to support Harvey relief.

“It was an absolute no-brainer to do something, it was just a question of what to do,” said Lazaroff. “We want to do as much as we can. Even though we’re far away and can’t rescue people, we can send resources they can use to help themselves. This was a very simple and effective thing for us to do.”

Community members have been encouraged to make donations to organizations providing support on the ground in Texas; for more information on supporting Hurricane Harvey relief, consult the Department of Community Service staff.

Categories: General, Student Life

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