Nicholls flood relief fundraiser reaches $10,000 goal

The Nicholls Foundation, with the help of the Nicholls community’s organizations, raised over $10,000 for the emergency flood relief.

According to the foundation, the money raised is going to be donated directly to Colonel students affected by the flooding who reached out to the university for help.

There were initially 57 students who applied for the university’s assistance.

However, 11 of those students have found other means of support through organizations such as Red Cross and churches.
The University is now expecting to be helping about 46 students.

Eugene Dial, vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Services, received many letters from students asking for help and showing their appreciation for all the foundation’s flood relief efforts.

“I’m really appreciative of the people who donated,” Dial said. “It is very unsettling for someone to experience the loss of where they live. Their whole routine and living environment changed. It’s a challenge for students to come to school and have to worry about home, too. I know the students we have helped have also been very appreciative.”

The University has already awarded an initial $200 credit to 27 students.

Those students either received a check or had the amount credited to their student fee account.

Seven students also received help with purchasing books that ranged from $130-$308 from the campus bookstore.
“I just wish we had more to give,” Dial said.

Neal Weaver, vice president for University Advancement and executive director of the Nicholls Foundation, explained how it is nice to come together as a campus and community and be able to give back.

“It’s not enough,” Weaver said. “We know it is not going to fix all of their problems but hopefully it lets them know that the Nicholls community wants to help.”

The culinary department held a jambalaya lunch that raised $4,600 for the flood relief.

Students prepared 1,000 pounds of chicken, sausage, and Andouille jambalaya.

Also, Shoe-Shi, a local boutique, donated a portion of money from their sales to help.

Other organizations such as fraternities on campus and Nicholls athletic teams also contributed.

All of these fundraisers initiatives aided the Nicholls Foundation to exceed their goal by $100.

People in other communities also came together to help Nicholls students. The Georgia Bulldogs football team promoted the flood relief effort to their fans during their home opener against Nicholls.

Weaver explained why helping the students affected by the flood is important to him and the impact it had on students beginning college for the first time.

“You spend months getting things like bedspreads, clothes, and things for your room,” Weaver said. “It’s all very exciting. Then a week before school starts, everything is gone. Moving to college is supposed to be a very special time in someone’s life. It breaks my heart for the students who lost that moment.”

Although the online campaign to raise money has finished, the Nicholls Foundation is continuing to accept donations that will be directly given to students to help cover costs for both the fall and spring semester.

Students impacted by the flood can still contact the university for more information about assistance by calling the Office of Student Affairs at 985-448-4022.