Wilson College to host Katrina relief festival on Oct. 1

September 22, 2005

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - Seven musical acts will perform Saturday, Oct. 1, at Wilson College in the Katrina Relief Festival, with proceeds to go to Presbyterian Church (USA) Hurricane Response to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The festival, which will feature bands from Chambersburg, Baltimore and Philadelphia, will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. on the Wilson College Green. A $5 donation is suggested.

Musical acts scheduled to perform during the concert include female vocalists Dresden of Chambersburg and Beth Wreck of Baltimore and the following bands: The Shackeltons, Written Letter and The Snoons, all of Chambersburg, Savory James of Baltimore and The Arctic of Philadelphia.

The idea for the festival was the result of a meeting of Wilson faculty and staff who gathered shortly after the hurricane struck the Gulf Coast to brainstorm ways to help. Wilson Environmental Studies Department Chair Ed Wells proposed a benefit concert.

"Everyone was enthusiastic about the idea," Wells said. "The project began at that moment and has snowballed since that time."

He said the bands have offered to play for free. In addition, Intelligent Noise Kommunications' Tony Eyzaguirre is promoting the concert for free and Color Craze is printing T-shirts at no cost.

The festival coincides with Wilson's Alumnae/Parent Fall Weekend, so organizers hope the influx of visitors on campus will benefit the fundraising event.

Other efforts to aid Katrina victims are taking place at Wilson College. The college is gathering clothing and toiletries for "Gift of the Heart" packages for refugees in Houston, according to Wilson Chaplain Kate Smanik Moyes. She said the effort was spearheaded by Wilson College of Continuing Education student Kimberly Maske-Mertz.

As of this week, more than 20 packages have been collected and mailed to Houston.

Another Wilson student, Chrystal Audet, organized a collection effort for a New Orleans family who will be distributing the items to other families in need of assistance.

Michael Albert, Wilson's grounds supervisor and a 2005 graduate, organized donations of more than 40 beds, lamps and other furnishings no longer used in the college residential halls to be sent to a local evacuee shelter in Fayetteville, Pa.

In addition, money is being deposited in a collection box on campus. Funds collected will be sent to the Presbyterian Church (USA) Disaster Assistance office for their Hurricane Relief Efforts.

|

|

|