How to help the hurricane crisis

HARVEY HITS HOMES — PBS alerts the Texas residents and volunteers that Hurricane
Harvey has increased fraud in terms of identity theft and other storm related scams, further
placing the victim families in danger. (Adrees Latif)

Although far away from the hurricanes plaguing Texas, Florida and other southern states, the desire to act and aid reach es everyone at Hope College’s Campus. The question stands as how precisely to help. Luckily, concerned students are taking action and enabling their peers to help in the midst of horror.

Economic blows and lack of resources are hitting communities hard. Leaving elderly residents in Florida without medical supplies and families without basic needs. Those who made it out are left the trauma of injury, loss and rebuilding life.

The bins located around cam pus that read “Hope for Houston” are there to collect hygienic goods and school supplies. So many basic goods have been lost and destroyed due to the natural disasters, leaving children, adults and education systems without things like entertainment, toothbrushes, deodorant, pencils and books.

However, with both the dis traction of crazy fall schedules and the privilege of most students to not see the issue as urgent, the boxes have not filled exponentially. Resident Life has taken charge and is organizing other ways of funding action in the south through inter-dorm competitions.

Cook Hall is participating in a Penny War. With each floor having a bin, students can try to win the competition by putting coins in their bins for points and bills in other floors’ bins to deduct points. Optimizing the motivation in students and the donation amount.

The issue is urgent and so far, Hope has responded with nothing short of enthusiasm. How ever, the call is just beginning as more ideas of help sprout around campus. The momentum is just getting started and the end could be of extreme benefit to those affected.