Division of Finance and Administration
Week of September 23 - Coming Together for Katrina
The day after Hurricane Katrina reached the Gulf Coast, Plant Operations employees Catherine Roark and April Wilkes took on a bigger challenge than just completing payroll and work orders. While driving to work that morning, the two women decided to work together to help the hurricane victims. With the support of Plant Operations and help from other departments, Catherine and April began collecting items for the Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort.
"I didn't do this for myself," Catherine said. "It's not about me. It was for these people who needed help."
April added, "There was a pull on my heart to help."
Catherine and April began making calls to the Salvation Army to set up the Plant Operations building on North Ashley Street as a drop-off point for needed items. Soon after, items such as non-perishable food, clothing, and first aid kits began coming in.
"There has been a tremendous response from Plant Operations employees," Catherine said. "People have given up their lunch breaks to come help us separate the items into boxes."
Catherine and April agree that they will continue taking in items until the items simply stop coming in.
"It could have easily happened to us," April said. "Now, I'm a whole lot more thankful for what I do have."
Catherine Roark, Personnel Assistant, and April Wilkes,
Work Management Assistant, separate donated items
for the Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort in the Plant
Operations Building.
Items can be dropped off at the VSU Plant Operations Building behind Hardee's and BB&T Bank. Supplies needed are non-perishable food, pet food, personal hygiene items, toiletries, baby items, first aid kits, and clothing. For more information on how you can help the Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort, please contact Catherine Roark (333-7436) or April Wilkes (333-7854).
Feature article and picture by Heather Harris,
Communication Arts student