Money collected for the Tsunami Relief Fund has been sent off to the International Red Cross.

The money, which was collected for survivors of the Dec. 26, 2004 tsunami off the northwestern coast of Sumatra, amounted to around $2,300.

Julie Blackford, director of student activities, said the money went to a good cause.

“I thought it was awesome,” she said.

“It was generous to see a need and do something about it.”

Blackford said the money was only kept by the Student Activities office, and the campus organizations did the work.

“We were mainly the bank,” she said. “They get all the credit – the students and the faculty.”

Eric Norris, Senate president, said the organizations did well, and Senate donated its own efforts of $1,500 to the Northwest Medical Teams for tsunami relief.

A committee was formed to decide where the money should go.

“It was a great idea,” he said. “I appreciate what the committee did.”

Norris said though there were some issues with the clarity of the resolution itself, the idea was worthwhile.

“There’s no doubt it went to a good cause,” he said.

Angie Boone, freshman Spanish major, worked on the Senate committee and helped the Spanish Club raise funds as well.

“I think it was important to be involved,” she said. “The Student Senate was very supportive.”

The Spanish Club served morning cups of hot chocolate with marshmallows in return for donations.

Boone said the campus benefited from the efforts of each club.

“I think it was a positive experience for the University,” she said. “It drew the school together.”

Jason Hare, junior Spanish major, worked with the Senate committee.

“We appreciate all of the student organization participation,” he said. “It was inspiring to see all of the organizations pull together on such short notice.”

Blackford said the clubs worked hard to collect money together, and she thanked the organizations for doing their part.

Rahila Khan, senior physics major and president of the International Club, started the collection.

“It’s always important to know we’re not the only people on earth,” she said.

Khan said she was happy with the turnout.

“It didn’t seem like we’d get that far,” she said.

Donations and collections came in from the History Club, German Club, Omicron Delta Kappa, Kappa Delta Pi and the faculty in the business department.

The money was collected and sent out at the end of March.

Senate will not pay its donation until other bills are paid and allocations are finalized.

“We only hope that we could, by this effort, bring about some sense of relief,” Hare said.