While rescue workers sift through debris in New York and Washington, student groups at the University are doing their part to help victims and their families hundreds of miles away.
- Paul Wong
- As the American flag on the Diag flies at half-mast, the campus continues to mourn the loss of life in New York and Washington.<br><br>DAVID KATZ/Daily
An e-mail message circulating worldwide asks people to light candles on their doorsteps today at 7 p.m. and observe a moment of silence for those who died in Tuesday”s terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
Here on campus, the School of Music is hosting a convocation today at 8 p.m. in Hill Auditorium. The concert is open to the public, and anyone who can read sheet music is invited to participate by coming to the stage by 7:45 p.m.
Volunteers from Hillel are offering rides to Detroit Metropolitan Airport to help out-of-state students who wish to fly home to their families.
Engineering Senior Jabreel Lockhart said he and friend Nook Dubose, a U-M alum, left Tuesday night”s vigil on the Diag thinking of ways to promote unity and compassion on campus.
“We decided to design T-shirts for students that promote community and solidarity,” he Lockhart said.
T-shirts will be available on the Diag, with proceeds benefiting charities, Lockhart said. Tuesday”s attacks against two American landmarks have motivated many students to donate time, money and energy to aid the relief effort.
Money from the shirts, which cost $10, will be donated to United Way and the September 11 Fund.
“These T-shirts are a compelling visual image,” he said. “We”ve been bombarded with all these negative images on TV since the attack buildings collapsing and we also need to see some positive images. These shirts show support for people who lost loved ones and friends.”
The shirts list four ethnic groups represented on campus: blacks, Asian-Americans, Caucasians, and Hispanics, with “U.S.” written above them. “Respect and love at Michigan in remembrance of our life and loves September 11, 2001” is written beneath.
Lockhart said the first shipment of 1,000 shirts will be available today, and several more shipments have been ordered.
Students can also help relief efforts without donating money. Today in the Pendleton Room of the Union, the American Red Cross will be running a blood drive from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
“The rush of blood has been very impressive, and some have said that the situation is now manageable,” Michigan Student Assembly President Matt Nolan said. “Even so, blood is always at a premium, especially now that so much of the supply has been used with regards to the tragedy.”
Alicia Johnson, head of philanthropy for MSA, said the group is deciding the most effective way to donate time and money to relief efforts.
“MSA and other student groups are going to continue to work on ways to assist our community and those in New York and D.C., with continued bucket drives, blood drives and perhaps a ribbon campaign” Johnson said.