By Selena Stevens

"I've been so impressed with the tremendous maturity of this student body and the way they have reached out to international students and handled this situation. I feel like a proud parent today watching this presentation."

--Dr. Lee T. Todd Jr.,
president,
University of Kentucky

Nov. 6, 2001 (Lexington, Ky.) -- University of Kentucky Student Government President Tim Robinson and UK President Lee T. Todd Jr. today presented $6,560.99 on behalf of UK students to the Bluegrass Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. The money is from the Wildcat Relief Fund, established by Student Government after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to allow students to help victims' families.

"These students witnessed something that we adults had never witnessed in our lives," Todd said. "I've been so impressed with the tremendous maturity of this student body and the way they have reached out to international students and handled this situation. I feel like a proud parent today watching this presentation."

Robinson said the Wildcat Relief Fund is just one of many ways students have been involved in Sept. 11 efforts. Students created a remembrance wall, volunteered assistance to international students, donated blood and held vigils of support and healing.

"Our generation will never forget Sept. 11. It will always be etched in our minds as a day we wish would never have happened," he said. "The fund-raising effort by the student body represents the heart of what it means to be a Wildcat - service to the community, the commonwealth and our country."

Paul Hay, executive director of the Bluegrass chapter, and Bill Hall, chairperson of chapter's board of directors, accepted the donation on behalf of the American Red Cross.