Hurricane Katrina has left a path of damage and destruction along the Gulf Coast and has affected the lives of thousands of people, including many in the extended Andover community. Those of us already back on campus began immediately to think about how we could respond to this tragedy. We have also received several calls and emails suggesting how we might get involved and offering assistance with the school’s relief effort. We have a few efforts underway and we are continuing to search for ways that we can help.
You will see in the letter from Chad Green that the chaplaincy and community service office are coordinating the Academy Hurricane Relief Initiative [Click Here]. Our admission office is traveling to the areas where evacuees are staying to assist in the placement of students whose schools are inaccessible. Next week, we will take a moment at our community gatherings to acknowledge the crisis and we will be prepared to provide support to those who are particularly affected.
There is clearly much more that we will need and want to do over the next several weeks and months. As these initiatives become more defined we will share these plans with the community. We also invite ideas from any member of the community. Phillips Academy demonstrated its capacity to reach out in the aftermath of the tsunami and I know we will pull together once again in this instance to help in whatever ways are possible. Most immediately, please consider donating directly to relief agencies in advance of the coordinated effort we will mount once we are back in session. |
