CMC students Alexei Laushkin '07 and Robert Carpenter '06 have launched Operation Hope, a new project uniting students across The Claremont Colleges to assist hurricane victims in Florida and throughout the South. Operation Hope seeks contributions of clothing, canned food and cash donations.
"It is absolutely devastating what is happening to the people of Florida," Laushkin says. "We feel that it is important to do something proactive. We encourage everyone to take concrete steps in making a difference in the lives of other people, and we can only hope that we can do something to make that kind of a difference."
The drive, effective Friday, Sept. 24 through Thursday, Sept. 30, represents the efforts of 15 student organizations from across the Colleges, including the Associated Students of Claremont McKenna College (ASCMC), the CMC Community Service Office, 3-C Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, Democrats of The Claremont Colleges, and The Claremont Independent.
"We have received a lot of positive feedback from student groups," Carpenter said. "Through our joint efforts, we hope to raise more than $10,000 and contribute upwards of 10,000 pounds of food for the people of Florida through working together and spreading the word."
Please contact Alexi Laushkin or Robert Carpenter if you are interested in donating. Cash donations (checks only) will be coordinated through the Claremont Chapter of the American Red Cross, and the local office of the Salvation Army has been slated to handle contributions of canned food and clothing.
For more information about Operation Hope or to make a donation, e-mail or call Robert.Carpenter.06@mckenna.edu (909) 851-8119 or Alexei.Laushkin.07@mckenna.edu (909) 607-3790.
(The following community groups, organizations and/or businesses have thus far partnered under Operation Hope: CMC President's Office, 3 CIV, ASCMC, PASA, the CMC Community Service Office, Democrats of The Claremont Colleges, Claremont College Republicans, Habitat for Humanity, Babes & Blankets, Native American Student Association, CMC Peace & Justice, Circle K, Portside, and The Claremont Independent.)