President Machen addresses individuals and countries in need of help
May 23, 2008
Dear students, faculty, staff, concerned parents and others in The Gator Nation:
At a time when we face staggering gasoline prices, soaring grocery bills and a sluggish economy, it's easy to draw inward and focus on our own problems. That is exactly why I want to make sure you know there's a better way: Reach out and help someone else.
While our own troubles may seem overwhelming, we need only to look in the news to find people all over the world - indeed, here in our own country -- whose circumstances make ours pale by comparison.
An earthquake in China that has left hundreds of thousands dead, injured or homeless; a tropical cyclone in Myanmar, where millions continue to struggle with disease and destruction; floods and tornadoes in the American Midwest that have obliterated entire small towns - the list seems endless and grows by the day.
It's natural to want to walk away and focus on ourselves. Fortunately, it's equally natural to want to help. Here are a few examples of how you can do it:
- The Friendship Association of Chinese Students and Scholars (FACSS) here at UF has established an account to accept donations to rebuild an elementary school damaged in the earthquake in China. Make out your check to "University of Florida Account 151," and in the memo line write "China Relief Effort/FACSS." Mail the check to FACSS, P.O Box 118505, VISA - 300-38 JWRU, Gainesville, FL 32611-8505. Student Government Finance will receive the funds and then issue a total check to the Red Cross Society for China. For more information on the effort, go to the Student Affairs Web site.
- MercyCorps, a Portland, Oregon-based humanitarian nonprofit organization that helps relieve suffering and poverty worldwide. For information on how to provide help in China, Myanmar, Sudan, the global food crisis and other emergencies, go to www.mercycorps.org.
- The American Red Cross is always ready to accept donations for disaster victims around the world. Go to www.redcross.org, where you'll find links to information about the China and Myanmar disasters and how you can donate money.
As bad as it may seem here, someone else has it worse. Let's be there for them.
Sincerely,
Bernie Machen
President