From President Shepard: Message about CFD drive for Nepal aid relief

Western Washington University President Bruce Shepard sent the following message to the WWU community Tuesday, April 28, in response to the recent catastrophic earthquake in Nepal:

Dear Colleagues:

Like you, Cyndie and I have been heartbroken by the devastating images and stories emerging from the Nepal earthquake, the worst to strike that country in 80 years.  As of this writing the death toll is estimated to exceed 5,000, with vastly many more injured and homeless.  And, to make matters worse, the tragedy is amplified by the total or partial destruction of four of Nepal’s seven UNESCO World Heritage sites, a tremendous blow to Nepal’s rich culture and history.  For those members of the Western community who are personally dealing with the aftermath of this catastrophe, or have friends and loved ones doing so, the heartfelt thoughts and wishes of the Western campus community are with you.

Any society struck by such a calamity would be reeling in the wake of such losses, but for Nepal the recovery effort will be unimaginably more difficult.  The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that the economic losses could possibly exceed Nepal’s entire GDP.  Already struggling financially, rebuilding from this disaster could set Nepal’s economy back a decade.

All of you who are Western know that our way is first and foremost about making a positive difference in the lives of others.  Now, we all have a simple and direct opportunity to do just that by donating to badly needed disaster relief and rebuilding efforts: 

The Combined Fund Drive has established a special disaster relief campaign for the victims of the Nepal earthquake which will be accepting donations until the end of May.  During the campaign, anyone affiliated with Western (employees, students, alumni, parents, members of the community) can make a credit card donation through this state workplace giving program.  You can direct your donation to any of the more than 20 member charities providing relief on the ground in the disaster zone, including the American Red Cross, Catholic Relief Services, Save the Children, Doctors Without Borders, World Vision and others.

For more information on the more than 20 member charities working on the ground in Nepal, simply visit the Nepal Earthquake Relief Campaign webpage: https://www.cfd.wa.gov/cfd/Nepal-Earthquake-Relief-Campaign.aspx.  

I hope you will consider joining Cyndie and me in putting your compassion into action by giving to one or more of these charities.  Year after year, Western’s employees give more to the Combined Fund Drive’s disaster relief efforts than any other state agency.  Let’s see if we can lead the way again for the victims of Nepal.  Your gift will go a long way in helping the recovery effort.

Sincerely,

Bruce