More than ten University of Wisconsin Law School student groups joined forces with two UW-Madison undergraduate groups in October 2005 for a week-long fundraising initiative to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The Student Bar Association (SBA) Public Service Committee organized events with student groups, including a bake sale, student date auction, and benefit parties.  Students also contributed to clothing and school-supplies collection drives.  The week’s events brought in more than $2,000 in proceeds to help those affected by the hurricane.

Karla Renee Williams, community service coordinator for the Black Law Students Association (BLSA), proposed Law School participation in relief efforts during an executive board meeting at the beginning of the school year.  Kenechukwu Okocha, vice president for public service for SBA and treasurer of BLSA, took the idea to the SBA Public Service Committee to generate participation from more student groups. 

“The community service directors and officers of the organizations I contacted were eager to participate in the campaign,” Okocha said. 

Contributions have been distributed to the Salvation Army and to families that relocated to the Madison area.  Proceeds also went to the National Black Law Student Association (NBLSA) program “Rebuilding Bridges, Physically and Intellectually.”  Other participating student organizations donated proceeds raised by their events to additional charities working with Katrina victims. 

Submitted by on November 3, 2005

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