Cooperative Extension Service Communications and Technology Department 3354 1000 E. University Ave. Laramie, WY 82071 (307) 766-2540 • fax (307) 766-3998 • www.uwyo.edu

 

For Immediate Release

 

Contact: Robert Waggener, Editor

Phone: (307) 766-3571

E-mail: robertw@uwyo.edu

 

Date: Jan. 12, 2006

 

UW CES employees donate nearly $1,000 to hurricane victims

University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service employees across the state donated nearly $1,000 to help fellow CES employees in Louisiana affected by the hurricanes.

“I was amazed at the outpouring of support from Wyoming. It tells me the heart of extension doesn’t stop at state lines,” said Steve Schafer, state 4-H youth specialist in the UW College of Agriculture who spearheaded the project at the suggestion of several colleagues.

Schafer said the donations were sent to the southwest Louisiana district CES agent who will oversee the distribution of funds to agents whose homes were damaged by the hurricanes.

Schafer worked for the Louisiana CES program before coming to Wyoming six years ago. He said a number of UW CES employees asked him if there was a way they could help the hurricane victims so he contacted the southwest district agent.

“I found out two agents I know personally lost homes, and several of the other agents I worked with had damage to their homes,” said Schafer, who traveled to the state in December to visit former colleagues.

“I met with several of the agents I used to work with, and three of them had damaged homes,” he noted. “Some of the people in the rural areas were without electricity for more than a month.”

Schafer said he was elated with how UW CES employees around Wyoming responded to the cause. “That shows me people involved with CES practice what they preach and that is helping people.”

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