Senior Tursina Abdul Rashid, Chaplain Sharon Kugler and sophomore Vicky Chen carry donated personal care items to a car that will transport the goods to the Clarence "Du" Burns Center, where they will be distributed to evacuees from the Gulf Coast region. PHOTO BY HIPS / WILL KIRK

As soon as a call went out from the Johns Hopkins University faith communities for assistance in providing personal care kits for displaced victims of Hurricane Katrina, donations from faculty, staff and students began arriving at the Bunting-Meyerhoff Interfaith Center. The drive, which will continue through Friday, Sept. 30, was organized by Campus Ministries and the Interfaith Council to assist those evacuated to Baltimore and others still in the Gulf Coast region.

Last week, items were delivered to the Clarence "Du" Burns Center in Baltimore, which, in addition to providing shelter to families, was assisting displaced college students who arrived to enroll temporarily at Morgan State University and the University of Baltimore. These students had arrived with nothing except what they were wearing.

Items collected this week will be shipped through a network of churches that are operating distribution points throughout the Gulf Coast region.

"Everyone is pitching in, and judging from the reaction I witnessed at the Du Burns center on Wednesday, we are truly helping to meet a critical need," said Sharon Kugler, university chaplain. "We take for granted the little things in our lives, such as toothbrushes, Kleenex, socks and razors. For our sisters and brothers who have been left with nothing and are starting their lives from scratch, these small things take on great significance."

Donations can be dropped off from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Friday at the Interfaith Center. All items must be new and unopened. With the exception of new underwear and socks, clothing should not be included. A list of needed personal care kit items is posted at www.jhu.edu/news/katrina/kat15.html.

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