Letter to the editor: Ambrose Aid

I am writing in concern due to the article "In times of need, it’s the thought that counts," by Jesse Virgil. I respect his opinion wholeheartedly. However, I believe correct facts should be considered.

Ambrose AID belongs to no one organization on campus. The group behind the event was comprised of dedicated faculty and staff with many different students. The city of Davenport and The Swing of the Quad-Cities also sponsored Ambrose AID. This group not only created Ambrose AID, but was also behind the KALA Marathon, the faculty/staff spirit jean day, and the Loras-SAU football game competition.

CAB, SGA, Residence Life, and Campus Ministry (both of which failed to be mentioned) were wonderful in helping with all of the above events. They created posters for the campus, hung fliers in the residence halls, and volunteered for several events. A press release was sent by Communications and Marketing to all newspapers and TV news outlets in the area about Ambrose AID.

Radio stations, parishes, and high schools in the area were personally notified by students. This group combined all of the departments above in order to make the several benefits listed a success. I must also say even the band list you printed from the day was incorrect. So much work was done behind the scenes. However, your article depicted a totally different picture. If you had only asked the correct people, and not referenced unnamed insiders, these facts easily could have been correct.

Ambrose AID was more than a thought, good intention or a fundraiser. It was created to fulfill what the group thought of as its most important goal: continuing education and support of the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Many are still without the most basic necessities, food, shelter, and clothing. However, here in Davenport we have all these things and so much more.

There is no doubt that funds are greatly needed at this time, but the trauma caused by Hurricane Katrina will last much longer. Ambrose AID received plenty of news coverage by local media outlets as well as the article printed in the Buzz. As a university, we are not allowing the victims to be forgotten.

Ambrose AID was seen by not only the SAU community, but by the Quad-Cities. People were reminded that this crisis is not over and more help is still needed. It was a stepping-stone to the bigger picture.

Ambrose AID may not have been the success you imagined, but it was a success. It is a challenge to us all, whether a part of the day or not, to keep working for a better tomorrow in light of one of our nation’s most destructive natural disasters

Sincerely,

Molly Temmin