When natural disasters strike, HWS students, faculty and staff pitch in to help. HWS Responds began in 2005 in an effort to help victims of Hurricane Katrina, and has continued with efforts to assist people affected by the 2010 earthquake in Haiti and the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
The Colleges were devastated to learn of the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident in Japan on March 11. The tsunami and magnitude 8.9 earthquake that hit the island nation left thousands dead and thousands more missing. Entire villages were flattened, and threats of nuclear meltdown are still ever-present.
"This is such a devastating event. I feel as a country we need to come together to help," explains Gabrielle Perez '11. "Without help, how will they begin to rebuild their country?"
Pray for Japan Fundraiser
President of the Caribbean Student Association Gabrielle Perez '11 has organized the Pray for Japan Fundraiser, which began on March 21. Perez and her classmates are collecting donations at a table in the Scandling Campus Center during the lunch hours. Read more >>
CBS Correspondent Bill Whitaker '73 in Sendai
National News Correspondent and HWS Trustee Bill Whitaker '73, L.H.D.'97 is currently in Japan, reporting on the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated the country on March 11. Read More >>
On the road to Sendai, Japan
The challenges of the Japan rescue effort
Shocking scenes on the road to Sendai
At Sendai, echoes of Hurricane Katrina and Haiti
Lack of information frustrates Japanese public
Japan in crisis: Your social media questions answered
Japan's citizens face long lines for food, gas
Japanese officials: Could take weeks to control nuclear plant
Dr. Robert Peter Gale '66 Interview
Professor of Economics Tom Drennen and research student Joel Andruski '11 interviewed Dr. Robert Peter Gale '66 about the nuclear power plant accidents in Japan. Listen >>
Gale also appeared on a special edition of "20/20" on March 17. Read More >>
Alums in Japan Check In
The Colleges have heard from the following HWS alums and all are okay:
John Terauchi '55
Ken Grossberg '66
Todd Guild '77
Toshiyuki Sekiya '83
Keiko Kohara Morita '84
Bruce Atkins '89
Kayo Tamatsuka Wakabaya '90
Eriko Innami '91
Aya Yuzuhana '92
Satoko Ito '93
Masaaki Shibamoto '94
Eleanor Hamilin '97
Enrique Villalona '99
Jonis Belu-John '04
Kate Delp '05
Sequoia Armstrong '08
Matt Ketchum '08
Jake Derector '09
Bryan Harris '09
Over the last year, student coordinated fundraising efforts benefitting local, national and international relief programs total more than $82,000.
For the latest American Red Cross relief information or to make a donation visit www.RedCross.org
If you choose to donate directly to the ARC please email serve@hws.edu, so we can track the HWS combined effort.
