School collecting donations for Harvey relief

Texas A&M University-Texarkana will collect donations for those affected by Hurricane Harvey during mascot ACE the Eagle’s Birthday Bash today from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Eagle Lounge of the University Center on campus, 7101 University Ave., Texarkana, Texas.

There will be cake, punch, a build-acritter center and create-a-photo/dry-erase board station. At 12:20 p.m., ACE will make his grand entrance, and attendees will sing “Happy Bird-day” to ACE and enjoy a giant cake.

“ACE is an acronym for ‘Achieving Community Excellence,’” said Celeste McNiel, director of student life. “We thought it would exemplify ACE’s spirit if we used his birthday party as an opportunity to collect goods and items needed by families impacted by Hurricane Harvey.”

A&M-Texarkana, as well as several others colleges and universities in the region, have been working with representatives from schools in the Houston area to coordinate the delivery and distribution of goods needed to assist their communities.

“We would love for everyone to come out and show their Eagle pride by bringing donations for our friends and neighbors down south,” McNiel said.

Suggested donations include socks and underwear (new/all sizes), non-perishable food items, toiletries, feminine products, pet supplies, towels, cleaning supplies, diapers, baby wipes, baby formula, adult diapers, blankets, bottled water, power strips and extension cords.