At the end of August, Hurricane Ida landed in Louisiana causing catastrophic damage to homes and businesses in numerous parishes.
Many in New Orleans and other communities in Louisiana still do not have power and are dealing with sweltering temperatures.
In the wake of the devastating news, FAMU has put forth initiatives to assist those who may have been affected by Hurricane Ida by developing FAMUCARES, which is a monetary donation site to help those who are immediately in need.
Associate vice president of the Office of Student Affairs and dean of students, Bomani Spell, believes that the FAMUCARES donations will bring in assisting those affected.
“I truly believe that any and every dollar can help when there are people in need,” Spell said. “FAMU has a long and distinguished history of helping those affected by natural disasters within the state of Florida and beyond. The history of being a conduit of help for our communities is one of many reasons why FAMU is held in such high regard throughout the country.”
FAMU’s efforts have also been noticed by students who hold leadership positions on campus.
Braxton McMillon, student supreme court associate justice, said he was moved by the initiative FAMU has taken to aid those in need.
“FAMUCARES is a great way to help those that were affected while keeping students and faculty safe,” McMillon said. “With everything that is going on in the world it is nice to know that our university is doing everything they can to donate to both our local community and extended communities in Louisiana.”
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, otherwise known as FEMA, has issued a statement on its website to those located in Louisiana, New York and New Jersey on sheltering assistance and their response.
“We continue to work with federal, state, local, tribal and community partners to support the ongoing response for Ida,” FEMA said.
According to the Associated Press, about 3,200 people have been relocated to mass shelters and 25,000 homes have been damaged, which has required them to stay in hotel rooms provided by FEMA.
The FAMU community continues to prepare for more inclement weather that is soon to come. The assistance that the university is providing for the area impacted by Hurricane Ida is sure to present a lasting impact within the country.
For those who would like to give a monetary donation to FAMUCARES, FAMU would like you to visit my.famu.edu/giving/famucares