Bowl Fans Unite to Provide Aid to Typhoon Survivors

About 50 students, alumni and fans of the University of Louisville and University of Miami came together Dec. 28 not to toss verbal jabs at each other, but to work together on a service project in Orlando.

The group packed more than 2,500 baggies with soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste and wash clothes for typhoon victims in the Philippines. "It's cool seeing the two schools come together and I wouldn't miss doing this" said Jason Meriwether, a UofL alum.

Glenn Gittings, UofL's director of special projects, spearheaded the effort, working with Clean The World, an Orlando-based organization that collects left over toiletries from 2,200 hotels and distributes them to people in need.

Two freshmen roommates, Madelyn Whitworth and Gabriylle Payne, stuffed their bags in the assembly line operation while mingling with fans from both schools. "I thought it was a neat idea," Whitworth said. Added Payne, "I like volunteering and this was a chance to give to those who are suffering in another country."

This is the third time UofL has performed a service project in communities hosting postseason football or basketball games.

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by Mark Hebert, UofL Communications and Marketing — last modified Dec 29, 2013 09:56 AM