UNA Students Organize Drive to Support Japan Relief Efforts

Mar. 24, 2011

FLORENCE, Ala. – After a devastating 8.9 magnitude earthquake, tsunami and nuclear explosion hit Japan last week, the University of North Alabama Office of Student Engagement and Japanese University Meal Project group have collaborated to set up a relief fund to help those affected in Japan.

The collection drive, which is set up through the American Red Cross, will go directly to relief efforts in Japan. Jennifer Brown, assistant director of student engagement for leadership and volunteerism, said the drive has already brought in more than $1,300 in donations from UNA students, faculty and staff.

“It’s so easy to keep ourselves distant from [what’s going on in Japan], but we need to keep it in the forefront,” Brown said. “The devastation is astronomical and there are people on the UNA campus that are being directly affected by it.”

To donate to the Japan relief fund, students, faculty or staff can write a check to the American Red Cross with “Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami” in the memo line and turn it in to Jennifer Brown at the Office of Student Engagement.

JUMP! will also have a table set up in the Guillot University Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday for the next few weeks where people can make direct cash donations. Donations can also be made online at american.redcross.org.

For more information, contact the UNA Office of Student Engagement at 256-765-4248.