Pacers from Bahamas Lead Relief Drive

Aiken, SC (09/13/2019) — The University of South Carolina Aiken boasts a rather diverse student body, including international students from more than 30 countries.

Pacers from other countries are engaged all over campus and in the local community, both in Aiken and in their native countries, especially when tragedy strikes.

In the wake of Hurricane Dorian, which decimated parts of the Bahamas, two students whose families live there mobilized the campus, leading a relief drive for those who survived the natural disaster.

Paige Davis, a communication major, and Alaine Sullivan, a finance major, teamed together and rallied several student organizations to help them with the effort, including USC Aiken Office of International Programs, Student Affairs, the Caribbean Student Alliance, Impact -- which is the student community outreach organization -- and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. This student-led coalition is collecting monetary donations and supplies until Sept. 20.

The two Bahamas natives -- Davis and Sullivan -- plan to deliver the supplies to the country's consulate in Atlanta at the end of the collection period.

While the two Pacers' families are currently safe, they know others who lost their homes and everything they owned because of the hurricane. While Dorian was bearing down on their native country, the two students worried about their families.

"It was scary," said Davis. "When you can't reach anyone, it is so scary."

Although communication links to her family are currently restored, she said the reception is still "spotty."

Donations will be accepted in the Student Activities Center online at the Red Cross website. Financial assistance can be sent directly to the Bahamas government at: https://www.cdema.org/bahamas-disaster-relief .

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