Hi everyone!  I just wanted to comment on the recent messages to the listserve.
  I think that it is wonderful to see that people are taking the intiative to m
ake donations and contributions to some of the places that we visited in Memphi
s.  Along these lines, however, I think that it is very important to point out
that one third of Oxford's residents live below the federal poverty line.  When
 I first heard this I was shocked, and I've been trying to educate others about
 this whenever possible.  In lieu of this fact, I would like to tell you about
a couple of opportunities to help out folks in this area.
 
1.  You can contact the Talawanda-Oxford Community Center (which used to be Oxf
ord Advisory Welfare Services) at 523-5859 to ask about what you can help with.
  I know that they are in need of college-aged women to conduct discussion grou
ps with middle and high school girls after school, and I'm sure there are other
 needs as well.
 
2.  The Honors Program will be holding its second annual charity auction on Feb
ruary 27th to benefit Oxford's Head Start program (which is preschool for under
priviledged children).  I know it's early, but please keep your calendars open!
  It will be from 7-9 pm in 111 Harrison, and I expect to see you all there!  W
e will be auctioning off services rendered by faculty, staff, and students as w
ell as gift certificates and merchandise donated by uptown merchants.  If you w
ould like to donate a service or if you know a professor who would, PLEASE CONT
ACT ME!!!!  Thank you,
                      Callie