Members of the Bates College community will hold a vigil for victims of the earthquake in Pakistan and the hurricane in Central America at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 17, in the Bates College Chapel, College Street. The public is invited to participate in this gathering, sponsored by the Office of the Chaplain. 

A group of students, faculty and staff has come together to organize relief efforts for the victims of these two natural disasters that occurred on the same weekend on separate continents. "We are collecting donations for both of these places and in the case of Pakistan, are also collecting blankets, tents  -- preferably winterized, but all kinds are welcome --, warm clothing and medical supplies," says Rachel Herzig, interim director of the Office of the Chaplain. The items collected will be sent to the Pakistan Mission at the United Nations, in New York, which will ship them to Pakistan.

Monday, Oct. 24, is the collection deadline for these supplies, which can be brought to the Office of the Chaplain, 161 Wood St. Donations from the public are welcomed.

The group organizing this effort hopes to create awareness about the disasters and related educational initiatives. For more information about the vigil or the fund-raising effort, please call 207-786-8272.