TULANE TALK

December 12, 2008

Good Morning:

I thought you might like these photos of Tulanians enjoying our rare http wonderland. While the snow helped, the Tulane community was already in the holiday spirit. Below are just a few of the many ways we are spreading goodwill during this special time.

Today, The Book Giving Tree, a student-run project that provides Orleans Parish public school students with new books for the holidays, will begin delivering the purchases so many of you have made for this purpose. If you would like to help with the distribution of these gifts, please contact Laura Cox at (847) 644-0004 or http@gmail.com.

The Tulane Cancer Center’s Patient Relief Fund is stepping up its yearlong efforts to raise money to assist cancer patients with financial help for transportation, meals, housing and prescriptions. To make your donation, visit http://www.som.tulane.edu/cancer/.

Once again Louisiana State Police Troop B will sponsor this year’s Christmas Party for Tulane’s pediatric patients and their families. The troopers will bring plenty of toys, cards and joy to the children under our care, as well as gifts for their brothers and sisters.

The Tulane Staff Advisory Council and the Black Faculty and Staff Association have collected thousands of dollars and lots of toys this holiday season for CASA, which promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy for abused and neglected children so that they can thrive in safe, permanent homes. Toys will be given to children in foster homes, group homes and hospitals.

Many Tulanians also are adding to their holiday list The HelpNOLA program, which identifies opportunities for universities, organizations and individuals to help rebuild New Orleans. To find out how you can help, visit http://tulane.edu/cps/students/community-service-helpnola.cfm.

Again, these are just a few of our many efforts. I also know of one department that, in lieu of exchanging gifts, is making donations to the St. Francis Animal Sanctuary, which cares for abused, starving and neglected animals.

Each of us celebrates the holidays in our own way, but I think we can all agree that the true spirit of the season involves reaching out to those who are in most need of cheer. By that measure, Tulane University is definitely in the holiday mood.

Have a great weekend,