February 29, 2012

Campus community can assist Harrisburg

by Tom Woolf

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Southern Illinois University Carbondale students, faculty and staff who wish to assist residents of the Harrisburg area in the wake of this morning’s deadly tornado may donate non-cash supplies, such as non-perishable food items, bottled water and toiletries, on campus beginning Friday, March 2.

Mythili Rundblad, coordinator of Service-Learning & Volunteerism at the University, said donation boxes will be available at: Agriculture Building Room 200; Rehn Hall Room 113; Student Center, under the north escalator (across from the Information Center); Student Recreation Center, near the equipment desk; Trueblood Hall, near the dining room; Lentz Hall, near the dining room; Colyer Hall on Greek Row; and Evergreen Terrace, near the laundry room.

The campus drive will run until Friday, March 9.

 A variety of organizations and businesses are accepting donations as well, including:

• Newman Catholic Student Center, near the Student Recreation Center, is accepting donations of supplies, including bottled water, Gatorade, soap, laundry soap, food vouchers, shampoo, personal toiletry items for babies and adults, and individual bagged snack items.  It is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.

• Legence Bank, 946 Fourth St., Harrisburg; 618/272-2271; needed items include bottled water, non-perishable food items, towels, shampoo, soap, toilet paper, toothpaste and other personal hygiene items for adults and babies.

• Rural King of Carbondale is accepting chainsaws.

• Fowler Heating and Cooling, 423 S. Court St., Marion; 618/997-5288; needed items include bottled water, Gatorade, soap, laundry soap, food vouchers, shampoo, individual bagged snack items.  The business is accepting donations all week, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

• The Salvation Army (618/252-2680), Saline Pantry (618/252-2374) and the Harvest Center (618/252-0009), all in Harrisburg, are accepting toiletries and non-perishable food items.

• The Little Egypt Network of the American Red Cross is accepting monetary donations.  Checks can be made out to the American Red Cross and mailed to the office at 665 N. Airport Road, Suite 112, Murphysboro, Ill., 62966.  The phone number is 618/529-1525.  Write “Southern Illinois Relief Effort” in the memo section of the check.