For Immediate Release: September 9, 2005 Contact: Hillerie C.Patton hillerie@yahoo.com Nyesha Y. Noldon nyn09@yahoo,com
A Shoe box brings joy to thousands of Hurricane Katrina victims
Las Vegas – Two alumnae from Grambling State University in Northeastern Louisiana have turned a casual telephone conversation into a nation-wide grassroots effort, called Shoe Boxes With Love, to help students and families who have been displaced because of hurricane Katrina.
“We are requesting that members of our communities, family, friends and co-workers take a shoe box or other small to medium sized box label it Shoe Boxes With Love (indicate male, female, or child) and stuff it with basic supplies and mail it to Grambling State University (GSU) or some where else close to your heart,” said Nyesha Noldon, 1999 graduate of GSU
GSU has opened its doors to students and their families from southern Louisiana in partnership with other institutions throughout the state.
“We have families sleeping in our intramural center,” said Vickie Jackson, head of Communication and Public Relations at GSU. “We need people to realize that the people here need long term assistance. This is not just a right now thing, so we are happy about what these graduates are doing for the students here.”
The Shoe Boxes With Love campaign has taken off very quickly since the two conceived the idea nearly a year ago initially for another outreach effort. Responses to the project are pouring in from across the country. The main idea behind the project is to help people understand that no matter how small the donation it will make a big difference.
“I’ve heard so many people say they wish they could give, but they just don’t have much,” said Hillerie Patton 1998 graduate of GSU. “I want everyone to know that every little bit helps. Many people are asking what other people are doing. We should all look at ourselves first and ask what can I do?”
Noldon and Patton are hopeful that this project will attract the support of shoe and clothing companies who may want to donate shoes and clothing in the name of the Shoe Boxes With Love. Currently, the friends are in contact with celebrities who may help out by doing Public Service Announcements.
Hello Hillerie.
The shoeboxes are coming in!!! As they come, we will distribute first to the students on campus from New Orleans, then to the town of Grambling (for those living with people in Grambling), and finally to those living in shelters in the Grambling area. God bless you!! Vicki Jackson- GSU
Nyesha Y. Noldon _____________________________________ nyn09@yahoo.com
September 13, 2005
updated list
Dear Friends,
I am a proud graduate of Grambling State University (GSU) in Grambling, Louisiana. Our motto “Where everybody is somebody!” The town of Grambling is located in north eastern Louisiana about five hours from the worse site of Hurricane Katrina’s devastation. In partnership with other institutions in this part of the state GSU has opened it’s doors to students and their families from southern Louisiana. The north east Louisiana area has also taken in more than one thousand orphaned infants and babies.
The state of Louisiana and the city of New Orleans has been very good to me. I spent 5 years at Grambling. I know first hand how difficult it is and is going to be to care for and provide for these displaced people. GSU is in rural Louisiana, far removed from the conveniences many of us take for granted everyday. Without a car it is almost impossible to get to the nearest supermarket, eight miles away from the GSU campus. And believe me that is the closest store. To date, we do not know if Grambling State University will receive adequate financial support for this relief effort but we do know that help is needed right now.
My dear friend Hillerie Patton in Las Vegas and I are organizing an effort called “Shoe Boxes With Love”. We are requesting that members of our communities, family, friends and co-workers take a shoe box or other small to medium size box and stuff it with basic necessities which we ask to be mailed to Grambling State University and/or one of the institutions listed below. Please label the box “Shoe Boxes With Love” for men, women or babies and provide a list of the enclosed items. You might want to include a note identifying yourself with words of encouragement.
On a personal level let me say Thank You for your generosity. GSU and other South West Athletic Conference schools gave me an extended family that reaches from coast to coasts. Our family needs us to show our support and provide any kind of help we can give. I know how important it will be to those that back to normalcy. I believe that “Shoe Boxes With Love” will be greatly received and appreciate by those who receive them. Please fill and put your shoe box in the mail as soon as possible. Unlike the Federal Government let’s not wait.
Thank You.
Nyesha Y. Noldon, GSU 99’
Grambling State University
Office of Communications Public Relations
Operation Good Samaritan
100Main Street
Grambling, Louisiana 71245
Grambling State University
Office of Communication and Public Relations
Operation Good Samaritan
P.O. Box G
Grambling LA 71245
Contact: Vickie Jackson 318-274-2591
Lincoln General Hospital
401 East Vaughn Ave
Ruston, LA 71270
Shelter
Carl F. Grant civic center
247000 J Gerald Berret Blvd.
Plaquemine, LA 70764
Lewis Temple CME Church
272 Medgar Evers Street
Grambling, LA 71245
att.: Rev. Dr. Ricky Helton
Southern University
Attn: Student Union
Attn: SGA - Stephanie Barthelmy
500 Jessee Stone Ave
Baton Rouge, LA 70813
Contact: Stephanie Barthlemy 225-771-2300
The following is a list of suggested items for men, women and babies:
soap
deodorant
toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouth wash, dental floss,
toilet paper, tissues
cotton balls, Q-tips
feminine hygiene products
skin cleanser
soap paper
hair product, shampoos, grease, oil sheen, balls, rubber bands, beads for hair braiding, ribbons, rollers, hair scarf, bowrettes(not sure of the spelling), curling irons, hair dryers, blow dryers.
anti-bacterial cream
emery boards nail polish, nail polish remover
disposal able razors, shaving cream
chap stick
underwear
vaseline
pampers
baby blankets & baby clothes
baby wipes, baby lotion, and baby powder
baby toys, teething rings, bottles
insect repellent, skin so soft
rain ponchos
contact lens cleaning solution
eye glass frames
flip flops
multi-vitamins, fish oil tablets (for high blood pressure)
over the counter painkillers/allergy/cold relief
pens, pencils, notebooks
computer floppy disks& cds, other school supplies
batteries, flash-lights
sheets, pillow cases
towels, wash cloths, hand towels
backpack or tote bags
t-shirts
shorts
detergent
candy, gum
non-perishable food
books
bibles
ear plugs
calling cards, prepaid cell phones and/or used cell phones.
Please do not include perishables or cash
Posted By: nyesha noldon
Saturday, September 17th 2005 at 7:09AM
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