May 8, 1998

Assistance program eases storm’s impact

Almost $11,000 in financial assistance was distributed in the first week of a program to provide relief to Vanderbilt staff and faculty affected by the April 16 tornado, according to figures released May 1 by Human Resource Services.

The program to help staff and faculty who were victims of the disaster was announced April 24 by Dr. Harry R. Jacobson, vice chancellor for Health Affairs.

In addition, several ways to donate money to the Staff/Faculty Hardship Fund were outlined, including a direct gift, payroll deduction, and credit card; also all undesignated donations to this year¹s Faculty/Staff campaign have been designated to the Staff/Faculty Hardship Fund, said Suzanne Brunson in Development.

"With many employees still digging out of the damage caused by the infamous tornado, we can¹t think of a better way to help," Brunson said.

Collection boxes were placed in the Courtyard Cafe, Hair Salon, and other areas around VUMC. Through May 1, about $350 had been collected through the boxes.

In addition, the School of Nursing's Graduate Council voted to contribute $750 raised from the sale of lab coats to the Nashville Chapter of the American Red Cross to assist tornado victims.

For more information on donating to the Staff/Faculty Hardship Fund, call Gift Records at 322-2979, or Brunson in the Annual Giving Office at 343-4373.