Cougars United for Hurricane Relief T-Shirts to be Sold

PULLMAN, Wash. – Crimson t-shirts emblazoned in white with the words “Cougars United for Hurricane Relief” will be sold as a Washington State University fundraiser to involve students in projects that assist in the restoration of the Gulf Coast.

Shirts will be available for sale to members of the university community, alumni and friends and the general public in the WSU Visitor Center, Student Recreation Center, the Bookie and Bookie II starting Saturday, Oct. 15, in conjunction with the UCLA-WSU Homecoming football game the same day.

Sales of the t-shirts at $10 apiece is an approved outreach activity of the Washington State University Katrina Relief Task Force in collaboration with the WSU Foundation, WSU Athletics, the Bookie, WSU Visitor Center, the WSU Alumni Center, University Relations and WSU University Recreation.

Melanie Brown, task force co-chair, said the t-shirts are being sold by WSU student athletes and other student groups to raise money to support student Habitat for Humanity projects at WSU. She said the projects will involve students in Habitat for Humanity’s “Operation Home Delivery,” building house components and shipping them to the Gulf Coast.

David Leonard, professor of comparative ethnic studies, said he expects students to be involved  in these projects to support their academic studies.  “Students may travel to New Orleans to assist in the rebuilding of the devastated area, heeding an opportunity to not only study about the ramifications of this natural disaster but apply knowledge in contributing to the rejuvenation of an important American community,” said Leonard.

A recently concluded hurricane relief effort, Backpacks for Hope, collected about 7,000 backpacks during its final activities Oct. 8 at WSU. “It was a heartwarming demonstration of care by the extended Cougar family and citizens of this state,” said Brown.