Iowa City Press Citizen, IA
04-21-06
Student aid
University of Iowa students helping city recover
By Gregg Hennigan
Iowa City Press-Citizen
Bridget Henry and Dan Weber took a walk through the trails Thursday afternoon
in Hickory Hill Park.
But instead of enjoying the warm, sunny day, they picked up shingles and siding
from buildings and other debris blown into the Iowa City park by last week's
tornado.
"We might be able to re-roof some people by the end of the day," said Henry, 22,
who quickly filled up a trash bag.
The two were among about 30 University of Iowa students who were expected at
the park Thursday. Seven Iowa State University students also drove over from
Ames to help with the cleanup.
Students, particularly UI Student Government officials, including Henry and
Weber, have played a large role in the recovery effort. UISG has a database with
the names of 200 student volunteers.
"We definitely haven't had any problem with a job arising and not having any
volunteers," said Weber, 20.
UISG is organizing efforts to help students who lost their homes in the tornado
move and find new places to live. It's also collecting supplies and putting together
care packages. It had to move all the toiletry items it has received to a bigger
room in the Iowa Memorial Union, and donated furniture is being stored by area
churches.
The organization has collected so many items that it's "almost to the point that
our policy is going to have to be to stop taking things," said UISG President Peter
McElligott.
UI Vice President for Student Services Phillip Jones said student leaders are
doing a good job of working with the administration and getting useful information
out to those in need.
"I think it's been well done and well orchestrated," he said.
A big reason for the student response thus far is that so many students have
been affected by the storm. Two of the hardest hit areas were downtown and the
residential area east of downtown, which is home to a large student population.
McElligott and Jones said it's too soon to say how many students were affected
by the tornado.
"I haven't heard anyone even try to make an estimate," Jones said.
Though UISG has been concentrating on student needs for the past week, it is
going to begin shifting some of its focus to the Iowa City community. Thursday's
park cleanup was part of that.
"This park had a lot of damage, and it's used by a lot of students and Iowa City
residents," said Mark Anthony Dingbaum, 20, the undergraduate senate activities
director.
The volunteers, wearing protective gloves and carrying trash bags, spread out in
the park and planned to pick up debris from 1 to 5 p.m. ISU students also pitched
in, making the two-hour drive from Ames.
ISU student Brian Bonanno, 19, said a couple of his friends lost their apartment
and he wanted to come to Iowa City to help others out.
Amy Radloff, 22, said there were collection boxes at ISU for UI students.
"You can put aside the rivalry for a while," she said.
Reach Gregg Hennigan at 339-7360 or ghennigan@press-citizen.com.