ANDOVER, Mass.—Phillip Academy’s Hurricane Relief Initiative that formed in early September following Hurricane Katrina has evolved into a multi-purpose initiative in response to the devastating earthquakes that rocked Pakistan and India. Now known as the Phillips Academy Disaster Relief Initiative, it is made up of a coalition of campus departments, organizations, and clubs.
As one of its first acts, the newly named Disaster Relief Initiative is announcing a month-long program of fundraising and awareness-raising events that will take place during the month of November. The effort, which has been dubbed “A Month of Giving Thanks, A Month of Giving,” represents a collection of new and pre-existing events that are all connected to the ongoing relief efforts both here in the United States and beyond. The raising of funds remains a primary goal, and thus several of the November events aim to raise money that will be distributed to one of six organizations who are either directly involved in rebuilding or that were directly affected by these natural disasters. (For a full profile of these organizations, click here).
In addition to these fundraising events, there will also be educational events that will offer the chance to continue ongoing discussions and to raise new questions regarding the long-term consequences (be they environmental, social, political, economic, etc.) of these disasters.While some of the events will be limited to Phillips Academy students, other events will be open to the public. (For a full list of events, click here.)
The organizations to which the Disaster Relief Initiative will donate money are:
Anyone who would like to make a direct donation to the PA Disaster Relief Initiative can do so in one of three forms: cash; a check made out to “Trustees of Phillips Academy” (with the words “for disaster relief” written on the memo line of the check); or a check made out to a particular relief charity, which will be forwarded to that charity. Donations can be sent to Chad Green, director of Community Service or to the Dean of Students office.
As new events are added, they will be posted on www.andover.edu.
Calendar of Events: A Month of Giving Thanks, A Month of Giving
(Current as of 11/4/05)
Takeout Night 2005: Wednesday, November 2, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m., Underwood Room
PA Only: AndoverTakeout.com, the website that provides information on and menus from restaurants in Andover, and volunteers from the Phillips Academy Disaster Relief Initiative bring you “Takeout Night 2005.” Buy a ticket, eat good food, and support a great cause. A ticket buys you samples from multiple restaurants (including King’s Subs, Golden Chopsticks, Hometown Seafood, Moontone, Teatone, and more), dessert, drinks, and the knowledge that you’re supporting national and global nonprofits, as well as individual schools, working to help those hardest hit in the regions effected by the recent hurricanes, earthquake, and floods. Tickets are $5 in advance (Monday and Tuesday in Commons during lunch and dinner), $6 at the door. Come early, as samples are available while supplies last.
David Halberstam — The Education of a Coach: Friday, November 4, 7:30 p.m., Cochran Chapel
Open to the Public: Join the greater Andover community at this panel discussion and Q & A session featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Mr. David Halberstam and Mr. Ernie Adams ’71, a member of Belichick’s “Coaching Cabinet” and the New England Patriots’ Director of Football Operations. Moderated by members of the history and athletic departments at Andover, it will cover topics ranging from Iraq and Vietnam to sports. A book signing and book sale of Halberstam’s just-published book, The Education of a Coach, which explores the nuances of the game of football and tells the story of one of its most successful coaches, Bill Belichick ’71, will follow. All proceeds from book sales will benefit the Disaster Relief Fund.
Diwali/Eid Dinner and Celebration: Friday, November 4, 6:30 p.m. (Dinner), 8:00 p.m. (Celebration), Kemper Auditorium
Open to the Public: The IndoPak club will be serving dinner plates of traditional Indian food to raise funds for the Pakistani earthquake relief efforts. Following the informal dinner, IndoPak will celebrate the Muslim holiday of Eid alongside the Hindu holiday of Diwali with the PA community. Eid is the important Muslim festival following the month of fasting during Ramadan. Diwali is known as the festival of lights. Light signifies goodness as it wards away darkness and evil. All across India, people light candles and oil lamps to pay tribute to their good fortune and happiness. This Diwali/Eid celebration strives to educate and entertain all who attend of these two very important days for India and Pakistan.
Keys To Relief Fundraiser: November 7 to November 19, Commons and Dean of Students office, GW Hall
PA Only: Purchase a “key” to relief and earn the opportunity to win a prize package, each valued at over $400! The rules are simple; buy as many keys as you like ($5 per key). Ten key holders will be randomly selected as finalists and must be present at the Oxfam Auction on Saturday night, November 19th. These finalists will be issued real keys and if their key unlocks the prize capsule (to be displayed on campus), they will get to choose from one of three “prize packages.” Prize packages will include: 1) iPod Package (new 60G iPod), 2) Boston Sports Package (tickets to Patriots, Bruins and Red Sox games), and 3) Airline Package (airline giftcards).
Oxfam Sadie Hawkins Dance: Saturday, November 12, 8:30 p.m., Commons
PA Only: Girls ask the boys to this new take on an old tradition. All proceeds go to Oxfam America and their disaster relief efforts here and abroad. Find your date now or a junior girl may beat you to it!
Panel Discussion: “Natural Disasters — Causes and Consequences: Hurricanes, Earthquakes, Floods and Tsunamis”: Friday, November 18, 6:30 p.m., Kemper Auditorium
Open to the Public: Natural disasters can affect anyone, anywhere. Some natural disasters are easily predicted, while others happen with very little or no warning at all. Within the past year, tsunamis, floods, hurricanes and earthquakes have killed hundreds of thousands of people, and left millions more homeless. Every country is trying to understand the complex relationship between human actions, environmental stewardship, climate change and disaster risks. In this panel discussion we will explore the causes of these natural disasters, the impact on the environment and human health, and how community planning incorporates environmental concerns.
Panelists:
John Rogers, Instructor in Chemistry - environmental impact
Kathy Pryde, Instructor in Physics - meteorology
Richard Keller M.D., School Physician - human health
Representative, Groundwork Lawrence - community environmental concerns
Christine Balling’86, Los Angeles Crisis Response Team – disaster preparedness
Broadening Horizons: Saturday, November 19, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Abbot Campus
PA Only: Each fall the Office of Alumni Affairs works with the Community Service Program to sponsor Broadening Horizons, a gathering of seniors and alumni who engage in an intergenerational dialogue of timely and enduring topics of importance. This fall’s gathering will include discussions relevant to the recent natural disasters and their aftermath. Seniors will be invited to participate in this extraordinary event, and space is limited.
Oxfam Auction: Saturday, November 19, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Kemper Auditorium
PA Only: Every fall Oxfam auctions off goods to raise funds for global poverty, hunger and social justice initiatives. Hosted by student MCs, the auction features goods that have been donated by Andover students, faculty, and local businesses. Various student musical groups perform throughout the auction to provide even more fun and entertainment. The auction is also an opportunity to educate the community about global poverty, hunger and social justice issues that Oxfam is working to address. This year, the event will culminate with the awarding of the “Keys to Relief” prize packages.
Thanksgiving Worship Service: Sunday, November 20, 5:00 p.m., Cochran Chapel
Open to the Public: Join the community for this culmination to the “Month of Giving Thanks, A Month of Giving.” The Boston Community Choir, a 40-member gospel singing group, will perform during this service of reflection and fellowship. Dinner will be served.
Phillips Academy Disaster Relief Initiative Recipient Organizations
American Red Cross
“The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers, provides relief to victims of disasters. The Red Cross expects to spend more than $2 billion on the largest disaster response in the history of the organization.” This money will support their efforts around the country and the world to provide food and shelter, emergency financial assistance, physical and mental health services, and assistance to local community groups, as well as other projects and costs.
Oxfam America
“Oxfam America is a Boston-based international development and relief agency and an affiliate of Oxfam International. Working with local partners, Oxfam delivers development programs and emergency relief services, and campaigns for change in global practices and policies that keep people in poverty.” In response to the devastating earthquake in South Asia, Oxfam is working hard to deliver relief. They have been providing tents, blankets, and other urgent relief aid, as well as sending in teams to assess longer term needs. In response to the recent hurricanes, Oxfam has created a Gulf Coast Hurricanes Recovery Fund and has been providing immediately needed supplies, assessing damage, teaching people how to build hurricane-resistant housing, and supporting residents in making their voices heard, among other endeavors.
Habitat for Humanity
Through Operation Home Delivery, Habitat has been providing supplies for and building new homes around the Gulf Region in the aftermath of the recent hurricanes. They have been trucking and boating in houses and resources from all over the country. They are working on “1) Getting the hardest-hit Habitat affiliates in the affected areas back on their feet and prepared to build houses in their communities; 2) Serving as a catalyst for other[s]… to come together to talk about low-income housing… [and] 3) Implementing a house-building project. Regular, long-term rebuilding will expand as time passes and the region redevelops.”
KIPP —Knowledge is Power Program
“KIPP is a network of free, open-enrollment college-preparatory public schools in under-resourced communities throughout the United States.” They run programs all over the country, including a school in New Orleans. In Texas, KIPP Houston has been working to support a number of students relocated to the area by the recent hurricanes. They have also worked with others to open an additional school for students in grades K-8 displaced from Louisiana and Mississippi, called NOW (New Orleans West) College Prep. Donations will help support critical needs they face around the cost of transportation to and from school and the demand for more special education and counseling staff and resources.
St. Isidore’s Catholic School in Baton Rouge, LA
St. Isidore’s Catholic School in Baton Rouge, LA, has taken on a number of students from the hurricane impacted regions and brought them into their community. As a result, the classrooms are even more crowded than usual and supplies are in demand. The Phillips Academy Catholic Student Fellowship has been writing letters to the students there and sending donations to the school, which will support teacher salaries, school supplies, textbook needs, and more.
Focus Humanitarian Assistance — FOCUS
Focus Humanitarian Assistance is an international group of agencies established in Europe, North America and South Asia to complement the provision of emergency relief, principally in the developing world. It helps people in need reduce their dependence on humanitarian aid and facilitates their transition to sustainable self-reliant, long-term development. Focus Humanitarian Assistance is affiliated with the Aga Khan Development Network, a group of institutions working to improve opportunities and living conditions, for people of all faiths and origins, in specific regions of the developing world. Underlying the establishment of FOCUS by the Ismaili Muslim community is a history of successful initiatives to assist people struck by natural and man-made disasters in South and Central Asia, and Africa.
Focus Humanitarian Assistance provides support to thousands in Pakistan, and has been playing a critical role in coordinating and assisting emergency relief operations in the aftermath of the earthquake that struck several parts of Pakistan on October 8, 2005. Through the rapid mobilization of search and rescue teams and the assistance of four AKDN helicopters, two of which were especially flown in from Tajikistan, FOCUS has been able to provide staple food items to thousands of victims as well as transport survivors requiring urgent medical assistance.
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