[16649] in APO-L
Re: Massive destruction in Grand Forks, ND
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Gerald A. Schroeder)
Mon Apr 21 20:11:38 1997
Date: Mon, 21 Apr 1997 20:15:02 -0400
Reply-To: "Gerald A. Schroeder" <gschroed@CAPACCESS.ORG>
From: "Gerald A. Schroeder" <gschroed@CAPACCESS.ORG>
To: Multiple recipients of list APO-L <APO-L@VM.CC.PURDUE.EDU>
In-Reply-To: <199704212119.RAA21467@cap1.CapAccess.org>
I urge everyone to give Tanya's mesage serious consideration, as I know
you will. I have often said that it doesn't take a natural disaster for
APO to mobilize to address America's needs.
But our Fraternity has *always* responded to disasters. I remember the
University of Iowa chapter collecting cloths and canned goods after
Hurricane Hugo. They did it at a football game, got TV coverage, and, as
a result, filled a bunch of semis with stuff for the victims. I could go
on and on. This is what we do best.
I urge each chapter to respond in an appropriate way through the Red
Cross of some other formal mechanism. Let's show the nation what a bunch
of civic-minded college students can do. Let's show the nation that we
are givers and not takers. But most of all, let's help our neighbors who
are in serious trouble and need a friend's help!
Jerry Schroeder
Past National President
On Mon, 21 Apr 1997, Tanya
Refshauge wrote:
> Dear Brothers-
>
> It is rare that I find myself in a position to post to the entire Nation.
> This is an exception.
>
> No doubt many have heard of the massive flooding and destruction that is
> occurring in Minnesota and North Dakota as a result of the mammoth amounts
> of snow fall, the spring rains, and the rapidly melting snow. This past
> week, all of the preparation efforts of hundreds of thousands of residents of
> four larger cities failed. The result: massive loss of property . . .
> thankfully, no loss of life as of today.
>
> This is hitting particularly close to home as the city hit worse is that of
> Grand Forks, ND, the home to the Epsilon Theta Chapter at the University of
> North Dakota.
>
> The Red River flows north, and as the other cities to the south were more or
> less able to channel the river away from their homes, the volumn and speed of
> water would not be contained any longer. The catastrophic consequences was
> the evacuation of 70,000 people from the city of Grand Forks, ND and East
> Grand Forks, MN . . . including the students at the University of North
> Dakota.
>
> Every home, every business, every public utility is destroyed and shut down.
> There is no water, there is no sanitation system, even the electrical
> systems are in jeopardy. To add salt a massive wound, a fire started
> downtown on Saturday afternoon. The fire fighters couldn't reach it due to
> the flooding. Once they loaded trucks on military transports to challenge the
> four feet of water, the had no pressure in the water systems with which to
> fight the fires. Eleven downtown buildings were burned completely to the
> ground.
>
> The tragedy is yet unfolding. The river has yet to crest. More water is
> expected as swelling lakes are being channeled into the river. Residents
> aren't expected to be able to return for at least three weeks.
>
> So, what does this have to do with Alpha Phi Omega? Two things. First, due
> to the uninhabitable state of the city, the University of North Dakota has
> closed the university for the remainder of the spring semester. They have
> cancelled all classes. They have cancelled graduation. In the middle of the
> day, students were told to evacuate, taking what they could, and leaving what
> they couldn't take with them.
>
> The second thing that relates to Alpha Phi Omega is our ability to help when
> help is needed. Many of us here in Region IX are feeling motivated to be of
> assistance and are mobilizing ourselves to do what we can now, and also for
> the indescribable volumn of clean-up which will follow the receding waters.
>
> If your chapter is in a position to be of assistance, the best means by which
> to do this are two:
> (1) Monetary drives for donations to the American Red Cross- SPECIFICALLY
> designated for the North Dakota Flood Response. This money is used in the
> form of vouchers to victims for food, clothing, cleaning supplies, etc.
> (2) Supplies and material drives for donations to the Salvation Army.
> These supplies are shipped to the affected areas to assist with the
> clean-up. Needed supplies include: bottled water, paper plates, plastic
> silverware, paper cups, cleaning supplies, rubber gloves, paper towels,
> regular towels, large garbage bags, toilet paper, beverages, institutional
> sized cans of food.
>
> Thank you for your time in reading this lengthy post. I am confident that
> the residents of these affected communities will find strength as other
> victims across the country always have. I also am confident that Alpha Phi
> Omega will make a difference.
>
> Tanya Refshauge
> Region IX Director
>
Jerry Schroeder
Immediate Past National President
