Published: February 23, 2008 12:38 am            

Local woman helps college students recover from tornado

A local woman took helping fellow college-age students into her own hands once she found her alma mater had been struck by a tornado in early February.

Union University in Jackson, Tenn., was struck by a tornado Feb. 5, just five years after the school was hit by another tornado.

“The school had just gotten everything rebuilt,” said Effingham resident Ashley Hubbard, who organized a relief fund to help the 300 students who became homeless because of the natural disaster.

Hubbard attended the college for two years, but presently lives in Effingham. Once she heard about the college falling victim to the tornado, she knew something had to be done to help the suffering college students.

“I was devastated when I saw it on TV. I couldn’t sleep for three days after seeing it,” said Hubbard whose former dorm was struck by the twister.

Some of Hubbard’s friends had lost everything, she said, which is what inspired her most to get the ball rolling to help the homeless students out. She even teamed up with a friend who works at Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, who got the word out for the relief effort and started a drive on the EIU campus.

“They were all very generous,” said Hubbard of the students and community surrounding EIU.

“I believe it’s easy for students to sympathize with other students. College kids don’t have money or insurance,” she said.

Hubbard said several of the students are staying with Jackson locals or apartments near campus.

Hubbard started collecting donations for the Union University students approximately two weeks, and found local businesses were quite generous, as well.

Art Craft donated the 200 fliers Hubbard posted for advertising, while local lawyer Scott Ealy donated money, as well as a lawyer in Charleston. Hubbard said The Rosebud Theatre helped organize and took phone calls, along with help from the Effingham County Community Foundation, and the Rotary Club donated a U-Haul and gas for the trip to Tennessee to deliver the supplies.

Donations are still being taken at Union University, 1050 Union University, Jackson, Tenn. 38305 or by calling 1-731-668-1818. All of the money donated will be put on gift cards and given to students.

Nicole Eversole can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 128 or nicole.eversole@effinghamdailynews.com.