OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi is coming to aid of the victims of last weekend’s storms in Hattiesburg. Students, faculty, staff and fans attending this weekend’s baseball and basketball games are asked to bring donations for tornado victims as part of the Rebel Relief program.
Over the next several days and at multiple sporting events, Rebel Relief hopes to fill an entire UM athletics equipment truck with the most-needed supplies for those affected by Sunday’s tornado in Hattiesburg. The UM Office of Volunteer Services, in coordination with multiple departments on campus, begins what will be the first of many steps toward aiding the Hattiesburg community before Friday’s Rebel baseball season opener against Texas Christian University.
Valeria Ross, assistant dean of students for multicultural affairs and volunteer services, said she hopes that members of the Ole Miss family will give whatever they can.
“We want to provide as many opportunities as possible for people to give to Hattiesburg tornado victims,” Ross said. “While other projects are being planned for the future, these items are needed sooner rather than later.”
The most-needed nonperishable food items include canned fruit and vegetables, canned tuna, canned chili/ravioli, soup, peanut butter, jelly, canned macaroni and cheese, spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, rice, oatmeal, crackers and granola bars. The most-needed hygiene items are bars of soap, deodorant, shampoo, razors, washcloths, toothbrushes and toothpaste. In addition, student supplies such as workbooks, flash cards, construction paper, books (K-8), paint, pencils, pens and markers are needed.
Collection of these items will begin an hour before each game, and fans should take all items to the Rebel Relief truck at the entrance of Swayze Field and Tad Smith Coliseum during the following games and times:
- Baseball vs. TCU – Friday (Feb. 15), 3-5 p.m.
- Baseball vs. TCU – Saturday (Feb. 16), noon-2:30 p.m.
- Men’s Basketball vs. UGA – Saturday (Feb. 16), 5:45-7:15 p.m.
- Women’s Basketball vs. South Carolina – Sunday (Feb. 17), noon-1:30 p.m.
- Softball vs. Southern Miss – Wednesday (Feb. 20), 2:45-4:30 p.m.
For individuals unable to attend athletic events, the truck will be moved following Wednesday’s softball game to the Student Union Plaza, where it will collect donations from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday (Feb. 21).
Students who want to volunteer with Rebel Relief for the aforementioned dates and times or future relief efforts should contact the Dean of Students Office and Valeria Ross at 662-915-7247, 662-915-7248 or vross@olemiss.edu. Rebel Relief sponsoring departments and organizations include the Office of the Dean of Students and Volunteer Services, the UM Department of Athletics, the UM BIG Event, the Associated Study Body, Student Programming Board, International Student Organization and the Black Student Union.