Auburn University has set up a link on their main website entitled “Auburn Relief Efforts,” where students, alumni and faculty can log on to make donations, sign up to volunteer and get the latest information about needs in the communities affected by the tornados last week.

People can donate to the Toomer’s for Tuscaloosa Fund and the Auburn Family All in Relief Fund via this website. As of 8 p.m. Tuesday, Toomer’s for Tuscaloosa has raised over $46,000, and are nearing their goal of $50,000. The Auburn Family All In Relief Fund has raised almost $54,000 of their $60,000 goal. However, the latter fund is designated to provide relief all over the state and not just to the city of Tuscaloosa.

Additionally, Auburn University is hosting a series of day trips so that students can volunteer in the areas impacted by the tornados that struck Tuscaloosa and the state of Alabama last week, said Ainsley Carey, vice president for student affairs at Auburn.

“The trips leave at 7 a.m., and the plan is for them to return by 7 p.m.,” Carey said. “Tuscaloosa is on the list of locations, but there are a number of impacted areas. Our Emergency Management crew communicates with the local sites to talk about how and where they need help.”

Carey said it made sense to organize a way for students to go and help, because many wanted to volunteer and just didn’t know how.

“Many were kind of going on their own, and it was very unorganized,” he said. “We wanted to help them organize their efforts and make things as easy as possible. Also, students who travel on our buses won’t be taxing the disaster sites for survival things such as water, food and gloves.”

Carey said there is a website where students can log on to participate. He said that since this is Auburn’s finals week, participation may taper off after this week, but the day trips will continue as long as students are wanting to go.

“I think it’s obvious that Tuscaloosa is a community in need, and they are our neighbors,” Carey said. “So regardless of the rivalry between the two schools, we are from the same Alabama family. We have a tremendous amount of respect for the University of Alabama, and we want to help our colleagues, sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews who are there. I think if the tables were turned, Alabama would do the exact same things,” he added, referencing how the University of Alabama pulled through when Auburn’s oak trees at Toomer’s Corner were poisoned earlier in the semester.

“I think it’s a great idea,” said Alex Johnson, a sophomore majoring in computer science. “I just think it’s unfortunate that they are arranging it during finals time so it is limiting the number of students who can go. One of my roommates is considering going on Friday since he doesn’t have finals, though.”