In a scene all too familiar to the JSU community, rural Lee County, Ala., was hit by four tornadoes - including a catastrophic EF-4 - on March 3. Twenty-three people lost their lives as a result of the storm.
"Our hearts go out to the people of Lee County, including our friends at nearby Auburn University,” said President John M. Beehler upon news of the disaster. "We received an outpouring of love and support from the people of this region when our campus was struck by an EF-3 tornado almost a year ago. I encourage the Gamecock family to rally behind our neighbors to the South and return their great kindness.”
The JSU Office of Community Engagement is organizing a donation drive to help the victims of the Lee County storm, in coordination with the Calhoun County EMA. Donations will be collected during JSU's tornado anniversary week at the following events: James Spann Meet & Greet, JSU Strong: One Year Later ceremony, and at the Wednesday Lunch & Learn. They can also be dropped off in a donation box in the front entrance to Bibb Graves Hall.
Lee County Donation Drive
03/17/2019
Items needed at this time include:
- Work gloves
- Yard rakes
- Sunscreen
- Chapstick
- Plastic storage totes
- Chainsaw fuel mix
- Chainsaw bar oil
The Freshman Forum is also collecting donations for the Boys and Girls Club of Lee County. Partnering with the Anniston Boys and Girls Club, the Freshman Forum is collecting school supplies and toiletries for children storm victims. Students will be tabling in the TMB Auditorium from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 18-22. Items may also be dropped with Keaton Glass in the Dean of Students Office on the fourth floor of the TMB.
For more information, call Andy Green at 256-782-5160 or email connect@jsu.edu.