In response to last Tuesday’s attacks, several student groups organized blood drives and fundraisers to aid the Red Cross. These groups included the American Red Cross Blood Drive Club, Georgetown University Employees Federal Credit Union, the Georgetown University Student Association and Students of Georgetown, Inc.
“We’ve all been flying by the seats of our pants for the entire last week,” Alex Diaz de Villalvilla (CAS ‘01) said, founder of the Blood Drive Club. “Students who have wanted to have shown an amazing amount of initiative. But it has to be kept in mind that complacency at this particular period is not a good thing.”
The first of three blood drives took place on Friday, Sept. 14. The following two will be Sept. 21 and 28. Blood donations are being prioritized by blood type for the first two drives. First priority is given to the universal donor, the O blood group, though all blood types are still needed, according to Diaz de Villalvilla. Throughout the week, there will be shuttles leaving campus every half-hour from Healy Gates taking people to the Red Cross national headquarters. These shuttles will be running from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
GUSA organized information tables and collection sites around campus starting last Wednesday and running through the week. The information tables provided lists of daily events that were occurring on campus including prayer services, information regarding blood drives, resources and phone numbers for services on campus, safety information, information on dealing with grief, while collecting more than $5,000, according to Walsh.
“I was overwhelmed by the support shown by the Georgetown University community in general,” GUSA Vice President Brian Walsh (CAS ‘02) said. “So many people came up to volunteer in so many ways. I was impressed by the way people donated … People went out and gave a lot of money.”
GUSA is no longer collecting donations but is planning to establish a more permanent form of collection, such as donation boxes at various campus locations, Walsh said.
Employees of Uncommon Grounds and Vital Vittles used tip jars to collect donations for the Red Cross and raised more than $2,500 in less than a week.
“It was great that everyone was participating especially since it was voluntary for all employees,” Todd Miyahira (SFS ‘02), General Manager of Vital Vittles said. “The reaction was amazing. We were taking in around $700 on some days.”
Vital Vittles is still accepting collections for the Red Cross and will continue to until there are no longer donations.
The Credit Union offered to match donations made by customers, up to $1000, through Sept. 28. Students were able to donate via the Internet or by filling out a form in the lobby of the Leavey Center. So far, they have raised over $6000, according to Christopher Villar, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Credit Union. At the end of the month, they intend to go to the Credit Union board to raise the amount of money that they will be donating due to the response received.
“The response has been tremendous,” said Villar. “It’s far more than we anticipated. It’s been a really great.”
