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UW-Marshfield/Wood County students sponsoring benefit for hurricane victims

MARSHFIELD – UW-Marshfield/Wood County students are sponsoring a Soup Feed and raffle from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The event will feature three kinds of soup, bread and beverages. Cost for adults (age 12 and over) is $6; children 5-11, $4; and ages 4 and under free. The event will be held in the UW-Marshfield/Wood County Commons – which also features a big-screen television for those wishing to watch the Packer game. Family activities – including clowns and face painting – will also be held.

“We have really worked together to help make this event a success,” said Lynnette Mitchell, president of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, a student honor society.  “There has been an incredible commitment on the part of all students to benefit those who were impacted by the hurricane.”

Raffle tickets for more than 10 prizes will be on sale in the Hamilton Roddis Memorial Library on campus. First prize is a specialized Hardrock bike, valued at $360, donated by The Sports Den.  Other prizes include baskets of donated items.  Each basket is valued at $100 or more.

“The merchants have been incredibly generous,” said Ernie Kibbel, a member of the Student Nursing Association. “We’ve had a ton of things donated to fill our baskets.  It has been really heartwarming to see how much the Marshfield community cares about those in need.”

Students organizing the event asked each of UW-Marshfield/Wood County’s 650 students to contribute $1 to help with start-up costs for the event. Any dollars not used in the startup will be added to the direct relief contribution, Mitchell said.

“As an added incentive, we have secured matching funds from the Union Pacific Railroad Employee Club 77,” Mitchell said. “That means the total amount of money collected by Oct. 17 will be doubled.”

Students can donate their dollars in collection jars in the campus library and/or Student Services Office.

“Everyone should be able to contribute $1,” Mitchell said. “That may mean giving up a trip to the vending machine.  But what’s a snack compared to helping victims of disaster?”