Dear Tulane Community,
We continue to closely follow the unprecedented flooding that has devastated our neighboring parishes, which are home to many of our students, faculty and staff. I have heard numerous accounts from Tulanians who were either personally caught in the waters of the flood, lost homes and other possessions to it or risked their own safety to rescue others. As survivors, rescuers and volunteers, our people continue to reflect the best of Tulane University.
In the spirit of these efforts, I want to encourage all Tulanians to visit Volunteer Louisiana for information on how to volunteer or donate money to help our hurting neighbors. You can also support the American Red Cross of Southeast Louisiana: visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word LAFLOODS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters such as this. United Way, the Greater New Orleans Foundation, the Foundation for Louisiana and other agencies are also providing relief for flood victims. As an institution we are looking into ways to increase financial aid to the families of students impacted by the flood.
While the level of flooding our neighbors are encountering is unprecedented, our region is all too familiar with both natural and man-made disasters. This familiarity, however undesired and unsought, has had the positive result of making all of us more empathetic, resilient and determined to recover, renew, protect and preserve that which is most precious to us – our homes and our loved ones. Eleven years ago we were helped in our time of need. We are now eager to return to our neighbors the generosity we received.
