Candlelight vigil to be held at UF for hurricane victims

September 28, 2005

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Gator Hurricane Relief Team will hold a candlelight vigil Thursday to respect and support those affected by Hurricane Katrina.

The vigil starts at 8 p.m. in the Reitz Student Union Amphitheatre.

“This vigil provides students with an opportunity to acknowledge the grief and dedication that this catastrophe has brought to so many people,” said Alana Rush, Gator Relief co-director and student manager of the Center for Leadership and Service. “The evening will be a solemn remembrance of the effects of this storm and will serve to inform and empower students to get involved in relief efforts.”

The event will feature the University Gospel Choir and a variety of speakers, including
Student Body President Joe Goldberg, Dean of Students Eugene Zdziarski and student speakers from the Gulf Coast area. There will be a slide show and a candle-lighting ceremony. The vigil is part of the Gator Hurricane Relief Team’s continuing hurricane relief efforts.

Sponsored by Student Government and the Center for Leadership and Service, the Gator Hurricane Relief Team is focused on increasing education and awareness; providing service to the affected areas and service opportunities for UF students; and coordinating philanthropic donations and events.

Anyone who is interested in becoming involved in the hurricane relief efforts is invited to meet at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Reitz Student Union Auditorium.

To date, the Center for Leadership and Service has coordinated the collection of $28,623.28 for the American Red Cross. Enough donations of hurricane supplies and canned food items have been collected to fill one tractor trailer.

The Center for Leadership and Service is part of the Dean of Students Office and the Division of Student Affairs.