Emergency kits available for students in need
Released: April 02, 2008
Students worried about what will happen if disaster strikes at their apartment should worry no more. Thanks to the Local American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) 1131 students will receive supplies if something goes wrong.
After the two fires that destroyed student housing last fall, it was realized that something needed to be done locally to help students in need.
"Last semester, there was an article in the Royal Purple about the living conditions of some of our students. I recently moved from a three bedroom house to an apartment and wondered if there would be a way to donate my extra blankets to those students," said Dawn Truelsen, political science department associate.
"I spoke with several people and eventually wound up in contact with Dean of Student Life Tisa Mason," added Truelsen. "She told me about the emergency kits, and I brought it to the union meeting." The local union voted to provide these emergency kits.
The kits, called Local 1131 Emergency Kits, will include basic necessities, such as blankets, pillows, bath towel, face towel, washcloth, toothbrush and toothpaste, floss, shampoo and conditioner, shower gel, deodorant, lotion, disposable razors, feminine hygiene, a pair of sweats, socks and slippers or cheap sneakers.
Additionally, Local 1131 would like to include a small amount of money for the students to purchase food or other needed items. The money could possibly be in the form of Purple Points or gift cards to local stores.
Local 1131 will present the first emergency kits to Police Chief Matt Kiederlen at its next meeting on Monday, April 7 in room 6C of White Hall.
The project is being sponsored by Local 1131 AFSCME union, which includes custodians, physical plant (Facilities Planning and Management), academic department associates, library workers, medical personnel, financial aid and financial services workers, and Walworth County public defender's office, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and Department of Corrections.
For more information, contact Theresa Gleesing, gleesingt@uww.edu or 262-472-1300, or Julie Marino, marinoj@uww.edu or 262-472-1324.
- Ashley Jones,jonesac08@uww.edu
