President Bill Perry wants the Eastern community to help Union University in Jackson, Tenn.

Thursday Perry sent an email to the university community urging them to take part in the student-run relief effort for the Tennessee university.

Three-fourths of Union University’s on-campus housing was destroyed during the tornado on Feb. 5.

“Eastern Illinois University has an opportunity to come to the aid of one of our partner higher education institutions in a time of great need,” Perry said.

Perry said more than $40 million in damages was made to the university and needy students no longer have clothing, bedding, toiletries and much more.

“Now is our time to lend a helping hand,” Perry said. “Orientation, Student Government and Greek Life are asking us to donate items needed by Union University.”

Rich Higginbotham, student vice president for student affairs, was responsible for persuading Perry to encourage employees to help.

Higginbotham and two other students from the One Campus, One Community program organized this event last week to aid fellow college students.

“Due to the circumstances and what school we were helping, he was all for (sending the e-mail) and he wasn’t hesitant about why we were doing it,” Higginbotham said.

Higginbotham and the others are collecting donated items such as clothing, sheets, pillows, shampoo, toothpaste, school supplies and nonperishable food items to aid the students who lost their homes.

Amanda Raz, one of the relief effort organizers, was thankful for Perry’s support.

“We really appreciate the help he gave us in supporting us and getting out the word,” Raz said. “It would have been tough to do this without him in such short of time.”

Just one faculty member has since contacted Raz about what types of bedding supplies to donate, but has not dropped items off.

The orientation office donated a few winter jackets and several boxes of non-perishable foods have been donated as well, Raz said.

Higginbotham did drop off donation bags to Charleston residents Thursday morning, but has yet to receive a donation. However, he said several community members have contacted him with aspirations to donate.

“Considering that we’ve been gone for three days and that we still have information going out, I think we’ll have a good turnout in the last few days,” Raz said.

Donations will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. today in the Orientation Office.