Gamecocks Support Northeast after Superstorm Sandy
Originally posted on www.sc.edu
When Carolina student Spencer Nelson heard the news about the houses burning in Breezy Point, N.Y., in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, he decided he had to take action.
“When I found out about the hundred homes that had been destroyed, I felt completely useless and helpless and I could no longer sit down and not do anything to help,” said Nelson, a sophomore business major.
Nelson, a native of the nearby Rockaway neighborhood in Queens, couldn’t get on a plane to help in person, so he approached others at the university to help raise funds for the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund to help from afar.
“Even though we’re 700 miles away, everyone here is thinking about our whole community up there,” he said.
With the help of Student Government, Student Affairs, My Carolina and others at the university, Nelson will be on Greene Street in front of the Russell House from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, urging Gamecocks to donate to the cause at “Gamecocks Sandstorm for Sandy.” The Carolina community can donate online to the Red Cross fund through a special Sandstorm for Sandy link.
The recent storm in the Northeast likely hit close to home for many USC students. New Jersey, where the storm hit the hardest, has become a large supplier of out-of-state students. Nelson said several of his friends from the area have been unable to reach their parents, and others at Carolina will likely not have a home to return to for the Thanksgiving break in a few weeks.
“It’s really something that’s widely affected our community here,” Nelson said.
Students, faculty and staff can make cash donations or donations with their Carolina Cards. The Red Cross will also provide a link for the Carolina community to make donations online.
A Letter from My Carolina Executive Director Jack Claypoole
Sent to alumni on Friday, November 2, at 11 a.m. Eastern
It is difficult getting excited about all the great things happening on campus these days knowing how many fellow Gamecocks have been impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Those of us who are native South Carolinians know the impact of storms like this, but when they make landfall in population centers like the Northeast, the numbers can become staggering. From alumni to the families of our current students, thousands of our Gamecock “family” are dealing with the aftermath of this storm. As our University’s connecting point with alumni and friends, My Carolina has received many calls asking how we can help.
As is often the case, our students are leading by example. I am proud to tell you that student members of My Carolina in partnership with the Division of Student Affairs and a number of other campus entities are mobilizing Gamecocks to support our friends to the north.
In conjunction with the American Red Cross, these students have organized a hurricane relief fundraiser on campus today in front of the Russell House on Greene Street from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. All proceeds will go to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
If you are not in Columbia or cannot make it to campus, we encourage you to keep those families in your prayers and if you have the means, to consider making a donation to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund by clicking
here.
Even in tough times, I’m proud of our students and proud to be a Gamecock! See you soon.
Sincerely,
Jack W. Claypoole
Executive Director
My Carolina Alumni Association