Sept. 2, 2005

Fans coming to the 2005 season football opener for the University of Illinois can donate money to the Red Cross to help relief efforts for people affected by Hurricane Katrina. Collection spots manned by campus volunteers will be located at all entrances to Memorial Stadium with all monies collected going to the Red Cross. Gates open to the public at 9:30 a.m. Kickoff for the game between Illinois and Rutgers is scheduled for 11 a.m.

The Red Cross is operating more than 250 shelters across seven states, providing a safe haven for more than 40,000 evacuees - many who have been left homeless by Hurricane Katrina. The first priority is meeting the urgent, critical needs of those people, which include providing emergency shelter, food and water, according to the Red Cross.

University of Illinois campus and American Red Cross volunteers will be accepting donations on behalf of the Red Cross at the football game. Volunteers will be stationed at gates leading into Memorial Stadium beginning at 9:30 a.m.

The volunteers will have official collection canisters with the donated money designated for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. The fund provides monies for national disaster relief operations, such as Hurricane Katrina.

Checks will be accepted and should be made out to the American Red Cross.

Monetary financial contributions enable the Red Cross to support the greatest needs in the most efficient manner. Cash can be used to purchase items in adjacent, staging areas and eliminate the added costs involved in transporting goods.

Contributions to the American Red Cross will reach hurricane survivors in the following ways:

• Food and safe water
• Immediate family supplies
• Mental health counseling
• Healthcare and disease prevention
• Fans unable to attend Saturday's game that would like to contribute to the American Red Cross relief efforts may do so by calling 1-800-HELP-NOW or logging onto its internet site.