By Staff
BERRIEN SPRINGS - In response to hurricane Katrina, Andrews University, with the support of local churches and community businesses, has been invited to send a group of volunteers to aid Bass Memorial Academy and the surrounding area of Lumberton, Miss.
The academy, located 90 miles north of New Orleans, La., suffered extensive hurricane damage, including destruction of the gym roof, cafeteria and chapel.
A team of 45 students, faculty, staff and community volunteers will depart Thursday evening, Sept. 1, at 6 p.m., with plans to return on Tuesday morning, Sept. 6.
The trip is sponsored by the Campus Ministries Office and the Andrews University Student Association (AUSA).
Plans are to provide both th support of physical labor and encouragement.
The Andrews University Counseling and Testing Center will be providing volunteers with pre-incident support training and counseling.
After Sept. 11, groups of student volunteers responded to government and relief agencies that needed personnel in New York City.
The estimated costs for the trip are $50 per student, per day, totaling $250 per volunteer.
An appeal for donations has been made around campus and to the local churches and community.
AUSA will be placing containers to receive donations around campus and holding a car wash and an offering will be taken up in today's convocation service. Campus departments are being asked to consider sponsoring a volunteer.
Those interested in more information about the trip or in finding out how they can help through donations can go to the Campus Ministries Web site at www.andrews.edu/cm or call the Campus Ministries office at 269/471-3211.
This trip will be just the first of planned hurricane relief efforts.
Andrews University is located a half-mile east of the U.S. 31 bypass in Berrien Springs.