Bloomsburg University acted by launching the #Huskies4Houston project to help victims of the hurricanes in Houston, Florida, and Puerto Rico.
The project is based on monetary donations, clothing donations, school supplies, blankets, and cleaning supplies. The school supplies and the cleaning supplies are being put into care packages to be sent to afflicted areas.

     The donation website is up and running, the link is on the Bloomsburg website. Collection boxes for clothing and cleaning supplies can be found all over campus, Kehr Union Building, or Nelson Field House.

     With a fundraising goal of $10,000, this project is designed to help more than just the victims, but fellow BU students. Many students have relatives, friends, and loved ones in these areas.

     The project is facing is lack of awareness. The greater the participation, the greater success of this project and relief to the victims.

      In an interview with the Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs Tom Kresch, he explained that the project had already raised $2,505 to be sent to a Houston Food Bank. This project has reached 25% of its goal.   

    In the wake of the hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, Bloomsburg’s CGA, felt a “responsibility to help”. Originally created to help with Hurricane Harvey, CGA President Joar Dahn and other members decided to act and launched the project #Huskies4Houston. The project changed its name to #HuskiesHelpingOthers and now includes Florida and Puerto Rico.

      A date for the end of this project has not been set. As for the main goal of this project, Kresch said it “does not get any more broad, helping Houston, Florida, and Puerto Rico.”.

      Kresch also discussed that other BU organizations have involved themselves in the project. Most notably athletics and Greek affairs. BU athletics has already gathered clothes, which is “enough to [fill] four laundry carts”. Those packages have been shipped to the athletics department in Houston. Greek affairs’ involvement is, giving the opportunity for service hours to help with the project.

     To raise awareness, a video currently in production, is being made for social media purposes. The CGA is working with the government of Houston University in collecting cleaning supplies. Additionally, the CGA will be designing a T-Shirt for purchase, and the proceeds will be given to the victims.
Local Bloomsburg organizations can help with distribution. The cleaning supplies distribution is based on the work of a local church. With Puerto Rico still without power; as Mr. Kresch said, “How does it not touch your heart?”

     This project cannot succeed without the participation of university students.

      For any Bloomsburg student who wants to get involved, the best way to help is either giving money via the donation website or giving clothes or cleaning and school supplies to the collection boxes.