Several NIU service organizations will take part in university-wide fundraisers the week of Nov. 13-17 to raise money for the Red Cross to help victims of the Bay Area earthquake and Hurricane Hugo.

Each organization will approach the fundraisers differently, said InterFraternity Council representative Gregg Mylin. The SA already has pledged $1,200 to the Red Cross through a canister drive on campus, said Student Association President Huda Scheidelman.

At the Nov. 19 SA meeting, each organization will present its contribution to Bob Fox, DeKalb Red Cross treasurer, and the money will be totaled and announced as the contribution of the NIU students.

Money is needed because the disasters have caused a deficit and the Red Cross is forced to spend money they do not have, Fox said. The Red Cross budget for 1989 was $18.9 million, but $42 million was spent on recovery efforts from Hugo alone.

“Donations are not covering it,” Fox said. This is the first time since World War II that Red Cross has asked local chapters to join forces in a relief effort, he said.

The organizations decided to raise money for victims instead of donating canned goods and clothes because money is “far more effective to get cash to them and let them buy what is needed,” Fox said.

The meeting ended with Fox handing out brochures and pamphlets to get the different organizations started in fundraising ideas. The SA’s channels program will find out what fundraisers the organizations are sponsoring and the dates of the events.