Jennifer Gates, right, a Lock Haven University junior nursing major, and Stacy Bowman, a junior recreation management major collect donations for Afghan children in the Parsons Union Building on Oct. 31. (Photo by Adam Roberts)

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - Lock Haven University is reaching out to Afghanistan as students and campus organizations answer the call of an alumnus.

U.S. Army Maj. Brian Wickens of the 41st Brigade Combat Team, a 1997 LHU recreation management graduate who is serving in Afghanistan, sent an e-mail to various university representatives requesting aid for children in Afghan villages.

“He requested articles of clothing, shoes and school supplies,” said Matt Wise, assistant director of Student Activities at LHU.

Called the Camp Phoenix Project, a drive was spearheaded by Wise and by Wendy Walsh, student life coordinator, to gather the items requested by Wickens.

All of the LHU residence halls participated in the drive, as well as a host of campus organizations including the Black Student Union, LHU Psychological Association, Council for Exceptional Children, Dance Consort, Distinguished Gentlemen, Early Childhood Education Student Group, Kappa Kappa Psi, Student Cooperative Council Inc., LHU Cheerleaders, the LHU Bookstore, the University Choir and the LHU Gospel Choir.

Collections were planned for Oct. 31 and coincided with a Halloween blood drive in the Parsons Union Building, which Walsh said was purposely done to make sure that enough volunteers were on hand to help with both efforts.

Overall, 2,309 articles of clothing and 348 school items were collected by volunteers. The LHU Psychological Association collected the most items, totaling 750 pieces. As the winning club, LHU Psychological Association members were given t-shirts that were donated by the LHU Bookstore. Participating residence halls also had a contest with the prize being a pizza party, but the residence halls all waived the prize to put the money toward the drive instead. The LHU Bookstore also agreed to pay for shipping costs.

The blood drive, which was one of around five that Walsh conducts annually along with two sessions for bone marrow donations, was successful as well.

“The blood drive was a very good one,” Walsh said. “With the area’s low supply, the blood center asked if we could do 150 donations. We said if they bring enough staff to have 180 people go through, we could make that goal. We had 215 people donate, 179 productive units and 67 first time donors, so it was very successful. I think when you get a few students and faculty and staff who become passionate about a cause, this university can do almost anything.”

Wise was pleased with the diversity of organizations participating.

“It’s good for different groups to work together like this,” he said.