Students Send Supplies to Katrina Victims

The Oct. 6 issue of INSIGHT profiled a sophomore who went to New Orleans to lend a hand in helping victims of Hurricane Katrina. There are many more stories to tell so we have decided to make this an ongoing feature series. 

After the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, many students from Southeastern Louisiana University (SELU) suffered great losses. Marsha Grant-Ford, assistant professor, Exercise Science and Physical Education, who initially began searching the message boards of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Web page to locate people, read postings from SELU students in dire need of everyday items. Grant-Ford set up a collection with the cooperation of students and staff of MSU’s Athletic Training Education Program (ATEP), in an effort to support their fellow students.

"When I heard what the students were going through, it touched my heart," said Grant-Ford. "Those kids could have been ours and I would hope that my colleagues would do what they could to help."

Eager to participate, members of ATEP gathered supplies and sent 15 boxes to SELU, which included toiletries, shoes, clothing and other necessities. The heavy rains at Homecoming did not deter ATEP’s mission to collect donations and $500 worth of gift cards were also sent to SELU.

In a letter addressed to Grant-Ford, Karen M. Lew, program director for SELU's ATEP, sent her deep appreciation. "You all went above and beyond to help our students. The quantity, quality and variety of items that were shipped was very impressive. As a group of individuals, you are all amazing," she said. "One of my female students, who suffered the greatest loss, was beaming with pride as she wrote you today in my office. It was the first time this young lady smiled in three weeks."