How to get involved in student flood relief efforts

Student groups and organizations at CU are working together to provide disaster relief for students and members of the Boulder community after last week’s flash floods left thousands displaced.

CU’s Volunteer Resource Center has partnered with CU Student Government and Boulder Flood Relief, an organization working to coordinate volunteers, to gather donations and provide assistance to flood victims.

Megan Frewaldt, assistant director of the Volunteer Resource Center, said the center and Boulder Flood Relief are going house-to-house asking people what they need.

“We’re seeing what the community needs and then identifying those needs that can be met without professionals,” Frewaldt said.

Students can participate in weekly relief training sessions and volunteer service through “Give A Day” this Saturday.

“We already have at least 50 students who have signed up,” said Dana Montgomery-Gair, 23, a senior communications major who works at the center.

Montgomery-Gair said students have also signed up for the Wednesday relief training being held 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in UMC 425.

Susan Barkman, community outreach coordinator in the office of Off-Campus Housing & Neighborhood Relations, said her office is working to find supplies and short as well as long-term housing options for the many students displaced by the storms.

“Whether students need housing, textbooks, food, clothes or transportation, we’re trying to figure out what they need and how best to meet those needs,” Barkman said.

The university launched a web page where additional information on campus resources.

Members of the Greek community are holding a Greek-Wide Relief Effort Friday to clean up debris the flood and accompanying rainwater left around student homes.

CU’s football team gave back last Saturday by serving food to first responders and evacuated families during the time slotted for the Buffs’ cancelled football game against Fresno State. The CU Athletics Department coordinated other CU teams, including basketball, soccer, lacrosse and volleyball, to also help on Saturday.

It’s great to see the community caring for each other during this tough time. SHOULDER TO SHOULDER

— Coach Mike MacIntyre (@CoachMikeMac) September 17, 2013

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Kelsey McWilliams at Kelsey.mcwilliams@colorado.edu, twitter.com/kelsmcw.