By Rebecca Wyatt, OU Web Writer

The Pakistani Students’ Association, Muslim Students’ Association and Zeta Sigma Chi Multicultural Sorority are raising money and collecting blankets, jackets and socks for residents of Pakistan who lost everything as a result of the earthquake that rocked the region last week, leaving thousands dead and millions homeless.

The student organizations will be staffing tables in the Oakland Center Friday, Oct. 14, Monday, Oct. 17, Thursday, Oct. 20, and Friday, Oct. 21, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The OU community also can donate to the donation box in the Center for Student Activities, 49 Oakland Center, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and until 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Donations also can be made via credit card by calling (866) 664-1444 or at any Comerica branch by donating to the Pakistan Association of American Earthquake Fund, account number 1226062410.

The Pakistani and Muslim Students’ Associations also are accepting blankets, jackets, socks and warm clothes. In Pakistan, temperatures this time of year range from the low-60s to mid-70s and temperatures dip down at night. According to Saman Waquad, president of the Pakistani Students’ Association, there are no large buildings that can be used as shelters and no central heating, so people are left to face the cold.

“If people have blankets or jackets, those are things that they really need,” Waquad said. “They lost their homes, their belongings — everything.”

In addition, the Muslim community is celebrating Ramadan so they are fasting and only have rainwater to drink.

All donations will be given to the Pakistan Association of America, which is sending volunteers to Pakistan to deliver the goods and monetary support.

“Pakistan International Airlines has agreed to take the goods back free of charge,” Waquad said.

For more information, contact Waquad at (248) 470-4949 or sfwaquad@oakland.edu.