By Megan Ruge, Co-editor in Chief
The day before we returned to campus to start the fall semester, the students here at Susquehanna received a text message about possible immediate danger on campus.
The text read: ‘There has been an incident on campus and/or in the Selinsgrove Borough involving a gun. Please shelter in place until further notice.”
Of course, knowing many of my friends and loved ones had already returned to campus, I immediately took to contacting anyone I could think of.
I texted, emailed and Facebook messaged anyone I knew had returned. I felt helpless, but this way I was doing my part in the only way I could think of. It was important to me to make sure that people I knew were safe and that they were sure of the safety of others.
Thankfully, the situation was resolved quickly and it turned out that no one was in any kind of danger. There was no gun and campus was safe, but I was still glad I had reached out because no matter how small, it’s important to do your part in your communities.
On August 25, Hurricane Harvey first touched land. Within days, areas of Texas were flooded with 50 inches of rain. Many of us who were unaffected took to Facebook to offer thoughts and prayers to those affected. Though this is similar to how I reacted in my situation, when disaster like this happens, there is so much more we can do.
After the destruction in Houston became a headlining topic, many organizations and companies advertised that a portion of sales would be donated to relief funds, specific the American Red Cross. Just this week, I went into TJ Maxx and found myself adding a donation to my receipt at check out.
But it isn’t just businesses that are pulling their weight. Many of our own clubs and sports team on campus are raising funds and collecting items such as clothing and school supplies.
The Susquehanna Track and Field team are donating cases of water to people affected by Harvey’s destruction. The Johnson Center for Civic Engagement is collecting monetary donations and will make a collective donation on behalf of the school. There are so many outlets for donation on our campus alone.
But the ability to help doesn’t end with Harvey relief. There are many ways to contribute to the community you live in. Donating blood at a local blood drive or clothing to community aid are just a few ways to help out.
It’s important to help out and contribute. Saying something is “not your problem” is a poor outlook. If a person wants to be part of their community and have a voice in it, it is important for that person to be there when things are bad.
As an American citizen and a citizen of the world, we have a responsibility to take action and lend a hand.
