BB&T Bank Enables Valdosta Students to help in Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort

Members of the Valdosta State University who would like to donate items or provide support for victims of Hurricane Katrina have a number of options during the coming week:

The Society of International Students will have a CAR WASH this Friday, September 9, starting at 3 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at the Centennial Hall Parking lot and will also have a BAKE SALE at the VSU-Quachita Baptist home football game this Saturday, September 10. All the money raised will be donated to the Red Cross.

Supply items may be dropped-off at VSU Plant Operations located at 2903 N. Ashley Street, just behind Hardee’s and BB&T Bank. Students, faculty and staff on the Main Campus may also bring items to Student Life in the University Union Building and they will be transported to Plant Operations, which is authorized as a drop off location for the assistance effort for the Gulf coast area. In addition, students, faculty and staff on the North Campus may also drop off items in the Student Lounge of Pound Hall in the Harley Langdale, Jr. College of Business Administration. Those items will also be taken to the Plant Operations site. The Salvation Army will pick up the donations. The supplies that are needed are non-perishable food, baby items, toiletries, personal hygiene items, water, first aid supplies, pet food and clothing. Checks may also be received at Plant Operations made out to the Salvation Army.

The times at Plant Operations are 8 a.m. till 5 p.m. Monday thru Friday at Plant Operations. Contacts at Plant Operations are Catherine Roark (333-7436) or April Wilkes (333-7854) for questions or volunteers.

The Student Life contact is John Wright at 333-5674.

The telephone contact at the North Campus is the Dean’s Office at 333-5991.

In addition, plans are under way for two special efforts at the VSU-Ouachita Baptist Football Game on Saturday, September 10. VSU Athletics, in conjunction with Second Harvest Food Bank, is sponsoring a disaster relief drive at the football game. Canned good items and personal hygiene items will be collected from fans. Collection boxes will be set up at each of three entrances (SE, SW, and NW) into Bazemore-Hyder Stadium. No items will be collected at the Northeast Gate. Volunteers are also being requested to work the stadium sites. Those interested in helping as volunteers should please call Jennifer Glisson at 229-244-2678, ext. 234 or 888-307-2316.

Also at the Saturday football game, between the first and second quarters, VSU cheerleaders will collect money in the stands. The funds will go to the American Red Cross for Hurricane relief.

Second Harvest also needs additional volunteers for the next few weeks to help with the disaster relief efforts. Hundreds of thousands of pounds of water will be coming out of the Valdosta warehouse over the next few weeks bound for the Katrina disaster areas. Second Harvest needs volunteers at the Valdosta warehouse to help stack and move bottles of water. Volunteers need to wear comfortable clothing, bring lunch for themselves, and wear shoes. For more information, please call Jennifer Glisson at 244-2678, ext. 234 or 888-307-2316.

What are people saying about mortgages today:

Rates on 30-year mortgages edged down last week to a seven-month low. Mortgage-giant Freddie Mac reported Thursday that 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages fell to 6.3 percent, down slightly from 6.31 percent two weeks ago. It put rates at the lowest level since they were at 6.24 percent the first week of March.

Bank of Hawaii, Central Pacific Bank, Territorial Savings Bank and Wells Fargo Home Mortgages all cut their 30-year mortgage rates to 5.75 percent this week.

Most people think of a mortgage as a means to an end. After all, you buy a house, not a home loan. But a mortgage is much more than the path to homeownership. It is a financial instrument that must be managed, just like any other financial investment.