Sept. 13, 2005

Columbia, S.C. –
The University of South Carolina, in cooperation with the American Red Cross and South Carolina Cares, will collect money at the Alabama football game on Saturday, Sept. 17 to aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Cash donations will be accepted at all gates at Williams-Brice Stadium prior to the Alabama game. Gates open at 1 pm for the 3:30 pm game vs. Alabama. The cash donations will be collected by USC’s student-athletes as part of Team Gamecocks (the athletic department’s community service branch), University of South Carolina student leaders, local Boy Scouts and Red Cross volunteers.

Half the money USC collects will be donated to the American Red Cross’ local efforts and half the money USC collects will be donated to South Carolina Cares. South Carolina Cares is the Midlands effort organized by Congressman James E. Clyburn and Columbia Mayor Bob Coble to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina. This coalition of government, business, community and religious leaders has already welcomed more than 600 evacuees impacted by the natural disaster to the Midlands area.

“As a member of the Southeastern Conference, whose institutions have been so deeply affected by Hurricane Katrina, the University of South Carolina feels a special obligation to help those schools, as well as everyone in the region who has suffered loss,” said USC President Andrew Sorensen. “We have opened our hearts, our homes and our university to families and individuals displaced by this disaster. But as the relief effort moves from despair to hope and destruction to rebuilding, all of us are being called on to share our blessings in this unprecedented undertaking to rebuild communities and help those in need put their lives back together again.”

“This initiative is a collaborate effort with the University to reach out to people who are suffering,” said USC Athletics Director Eric Hyman.”USC Athletics is glad to participate in this joint endeavor with the Boy Scouts and Carolina student leadership.Half of the money raised will go to the Red Cross and the balance will go to Carolina Cares. We want to assist the community’s efforts by giving direct financial support to Carolina Cares, who is helping families transition to South Carolina from the hurricane ravaged parts of the country.”