DRSC To Hold Community Gathering Nov. 8

DRSC To Raise Money For Those Affected By Natural Disasters.
The Disaster Relief Steering Committee Will Hold A Community Gathering Nov. 8.
The Disaster Relief Steering Committee Will Hold A Community Gathering Nov. 8.

The University of Scranton Disaster Relief Steering Committee will hold a Royal Response Community Gathering Nov. 8 to raise money for those most affected by recent natural disasters.

 

The gathering will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the McIlhenny Ballroom of The DeNaples Center. Admission to the gathering is a $5 donation via cash, credit/debit, Royal Card or check. The program will include a simple meal of soup and bread to "serve as a reminder that there are still many people who are living hand to mouth," according to an email sent by the Disaster Relief Steering Committee Oct. 30. The Rev. Patrick D. Rogers, S. J., and the Rev. Richard G. Malloy, S.J., will provide musical entertainment at the event. The committee also stated that gifts larger than $5 will be accepted “with joy.” All proceeds from the gathering will go towards the committee’s ongoing efforts to respond to those most affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Jose and Maria, the wildfires in California and the recent earthquake in Mexico City.

 

The committee is also seeking University staff volunteers to assist with the event. Information on volunteering for the gathering is available here. Those who would like to support the committee’s efforts but cannot attend the event can make a donation here or by texting “RoyalResponse” to 71777.

 

The Rev. Herbert B. Keller, S.J., Interim President of the University, publicly expressed his desire to establish a Disaster Relief Steering Committee Sept. 6. On Oct. 4, Rogers, executive director of the Jesuit Center, and Patricia Vaccaro, director of the Center for Service and Social Justice, the chairs of the committee, announced that the group, consisting of Morgan Fetsock ’21, Toby Lovecchio ’85, associate director of Athletics, Rose Merritt, office manager of the Counseling Center, Alexandra Maier, assistant director of Annual Giving, Mark Murphy, director of Sustainability, Maeve Potter ’18, Rose Rosado Hernandez ’18, Jennifer Schwartz ’05, G ’06, D.P.T. ’12, faculty specialist for the Department of Physical Therapy, Helen Wolf, Ph.D., executive director for Campus Ministries, and Stan Zygmunt, director of News and Media Relations, had begun its work on behalf of the University.

 

Since then, the committee has begun to identify, with the help of local charity organizations in the affected areas, how best to address the growing needs of those most affected by the disasters. Through its contacts with those agencies, the committee has determined that gifts of cash which can be used for gift cards is the most impactful gift those affected by the disasters can receive at this time. As of press time, the committee has raised nearly $2,000. More information on the committee is available here

 

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