Though hurricanes Harvey and Irma have passed, the devastation they have caused millions of people in Texas and Florida is still being combatted. These disasters hit close to home for one Marshall University sorority which, in turn, decided to take up donations for those who were affected by the storms.

With members from both Houston and Miami, whose families were affected directly, Alpha Xi Delta decided to collect donations from the Marshall and Huntington communities in an effort to gather supplies to aid in relief efforts.

Hannah Pytlak, member of Alpha Xi Delta who helped start the fundraising and junior dietetics major, said the hurricanes brought emotional responses from the girls whose families were affected, and they knew that, as a group, they needed to do something to help.

“There’s actually girls in our sorority that got hit by it, so it kind of hits home to us,” Pytlak said. “These hurricanes happened back to back and really at a bad time, and we are hoping by donating ourselves and buying and shipping out all that we can, that we can make some sort of a difference.”

Pytlak went on to explain that the fundraising and donating process may not be a part of their philanthropy, Autism Speaks, but that they couldn’t ignore the chance to help others in need as best they could.

“Our philanthropy is Autism Speaks, but we really like to get out in the community and just show our colors, and show that we are all about helping others and making a positive impact on the community and the country,” Pytlak said.

Sasha Tackett, Alpha Xi Delta president and senior elementary education student, said she was supportive of the event when it was brought to her and wanted to help those in need, as well as show that the sorority did more than just local community service.

“Usually we only do things for the Huntington community,” Tackett said. “By raising money and collecting donations for the hurricane relief efforts, we can make a difference outside of this community.”

Alpha Xi Delta’s relief effort fundraising will be taking donations until Sept. 24.

Breanna Francis can be contacted at [email protected].