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Saturday's game was about a lot more than football for the more than one hundred volunteers who rallied together to raise over $23,000 for victims of Hurricane Katrina. Armed with matching T-shirts and buckets, they set out two-by-two across campus, throughout tailgating areas and at the entrances to Alumni Stadium, to offer every fan an opportunity to donate.
The relief effort was coordinated in less than four days by the Undergraduate Government of Boston College (UGBC), the Volunteer and Service Learning Center (VSLC), Residential Life, and the Office of the Dean of Student Development (ODSD).
"It was an incredible effort that demonstrated how Boston College can come together and support each other and people in this country," said Annie Kurdziel, co-director of volunteer issues for UGBC and LSOE '08.
From the time University President Rev. William P. Leahy, S.J., announced the initiative in an open letter Tuesday, Kurdziel worked with Frances Phillips, co-director of volunteer issues for UGBC and A&S '07, Margaret Hepp, A&S '06, Dan Ponsetto, director of VSLC, Christopher Darcy, assistant dean of ODSD, and many others to pull off a successful fundraiser. Sign-ups were posted outside of the VSLC on Thursday to offer any willing student a chance to help.
"We were a little worried because we thought, 'We have two days to put together an effort that's trying to bring together thousands of people and trying to make as much money as we can,'" said Hepp. "It was incredible how everyone came together as a team."
"If anything, this was not only amazing because of financial support but it was amazing because it showed the BC community spirit in a way I had never seen," said Kurdziel. "We asked people to give up the beginning of a game for this cause. We saw people with so much energy and so much enthusiasm. I have never been so impressed by a group of students."
Students gathered at 10:30 a.m. Saturday morning for a pep talk and instructions.
"It was the least I could really do," said Jimmy Lajoie, LSOE '06. "There's always going to be another football game for me to tailgate at, but I felt that this was the most immediate way that I could give my time, as little as it was."
Volunteers collected money from 11 a.m. to halfway through the first quarter. Several stayed behind to sort and count the more than $23,000 in cash and checks. Change will be automatically counted today in More Hall and added to the total.
"Being so fortunate and safe you feel like if someone else is hurting you should help them, especially if you're in a spot where you can," said Emily Krol, A&S '08. "I thought the response was great."
UGBC was originally aiming to fundraise at the football game next Saturday against FSU because of attendance, but realized a timely response was important, according to Kurdziel. "Responding quickly is important when there is a natural disaster," she said. "The Army game was chosen for many reasons, and it was a great decision because students were very excited that they could donate at this game."
While most volunteers were grateful for the donations, they acknowledged the negative aspects of the day.
"Some people were questioning why we were doing it, which was weird because we're a Catholic institution," said Mike Cotter, A&S '08. "A lot of the parents would not even acknowledge us, and in that it was disheartening."
"It was definitely a humbling experience," said Lajoie. "What was really tough for me was seeing people stuffing their faces, drinking beers, and - not everyone - being annoyed when we came. Other people were so gracious and so encouraging. It was really a mixed experience overall."
For further opportunities to assist relief efforts, Hepp created the Web site www.bchelps.com to establish a University hub where the BC community could find out what BC was doing and how to help.
"I want to bring the entire community together in these relief efforts," she said.
Another opportunity to give this week will be "Fight Katrina at Kinarva" on Thursday night, at which will donations will be collected from the 21+ crowd. Hepp anticipates a T-shirt sale later in the semester and a group of students heading down to the Gulf Coast during winter break.
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