Global crisis or not, Titans demonstrate every day what students can do to change the world.
While so much of our daily life has changed in recent weeks, it still remains true. It just might look a little different in the era of social distancing and safer-at-home orders.
As the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh community marches through the unusual times brought on by the coronavirus, some may be wondering how they can help. Although the answers aren’t always clear or easy, there are ways to pitch in—they’re just mostly from afar.
Here are five ways the UW Oshkosh community can make a difference today.
1. Stay home.
It’s the one that by now should go without saying—but we’re going to emphasize it again anyway. Any expert you hear from will stress this is the most important thing people can do to help us get through this. Last week Gov. Tony Evers issued an order for Wisconsinites to stay at home at all times besides a few essential exceptions.
“At the end of the day, folks, we are all in this together,” Evers said at the media briefing about the safer-at-home directive. “And during the most difficult times we are called upon to remember our Wisconsin values of kindness, compassion, empathy and respect.”
How do we show those values? By staying home.
2. Donate to the Titans Rise Campaign.
The recently launched Titans Rise campaign is set up to help UWO students with recovery from the coronavirus crisis. This pandemic brought on uncertainty, change and adaptation, yet the semester will continue next week through alternative delivery methods. Students have been resilient, but for some, times are tough.
All donations to the Titans Rise campaign will help support critical programs, scholarships and emergency funds. And here’s an added bonus: A generous alumnus has offered up a $50,000 matching donation to help UWO march forward.
For more information or to donate, visit the UWO Foundation website.
3. Give blood.
The Appleton-based Community Blood Center and the American Red Cross of Wisconsin are working hard to keep up with the constant demand for blood. Because coronavirus concerns have reduced the number of people willing to head out to donate, several blood drives are planned in the days and weeks ahead around northeast Wisconsin.
Blood donation is considered essential by the state and the Community Blood Center has drives planned in and around Oshkosh in the coming days. One is at the Oshkosh Donor Center, 2100 Omro Road, from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 1. The local Red Cross chapter has a drive planned from 11:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. April 6 at the Algoma United Methodist Church, 1174 Algoma Blvd., Oshkosh, not far from the UWO campus. The Red Cross also accepts monetary donations online.
For more information on how to donate visit communityblood.org or redcrossblood.org.
4. Donate to a local food pantry.
Food insecurity is a serious problem and the circumstances of the last few weeks only make organizations like the Oshkosh Area Community Pantry all the more important. While dropping off donations means face-to-face interaction—something we’re all trying to avoid—monetary donations are accepted online. Every dollar helps distribute food to individuals and families in Winnebago County, so the impact is as local as it gets.
For more information or to donate, visit oacptoday.org.
5. Check in with others.
Socializing is part of the college experience and although it might be different these days, it doesn’t need to come to a screeching halt. A lot of people are feeling disconnected and isolated and might benefit from a text, call or email from a friend.
That courtesy can extend to neighbors, especially the elderly, who might appreciate a check-in (though keeping a safe distance is also a must). A small gesture might make a big difference.
Learn more