AUSTIN, Texas - Texas A&M University and the University of Texas at Austin are holding a fundraising campaign to help aid students experiencing financial hardships following the recent winter storms that impacted the state.
The two universities say that even as water and power are restored, students are still navigating repairs to damaged housing and looming bill payments in the aftermath of the winter storms. Student leaders are looking to help their peers recover from the disaster through a joint fundraising campaign.
DOWNLOAD THE FOX 7 AUSTIN NEWS APP
This browser does not support the Video element.
Sun Radio Recharge helping people in need after winter storm
Many are still feeling the impacts of the recent winter storm in Texas and Sun Radio is offering some relief to those in need. DJ Kevin Conner has more.
Longhorn Nation can donate through the HornRaiser crowdfunding platform, and the Texas A&M community can donate through Spirit of Giving. Donations to "Orange and Maroon: Texas Tough" will provide relief for students affected by the storms, from replacing groceries spoiled by power outages, to replacing personal items and school supplies destroyed by burst pipes, to helping with bills.
RELATED: White House climate czar calls Texas winter storm 'a wake-up call' for US
The universities say that the campaign was created following discussions between UT Student Government President Anagha Kikkeri and Texas A&M Student Body President Eric Mendoza, who said that Longhorns and Aggies alike were greatly affected by the freeze that swept the region.
This browser does not support the Video element.
Texas House, Senate hold hearings about last week’s winter storm
Committees in both chambers of the Texas Legislature discussed what went wrong with the state's power infrastructure during last week's winter storm.
"We want the students to be able to focus on what they’re here for — which is school," Mendoza said. "Distractions that are out of their control, like this winter storm, make that hard, especially when the impact is financial."
SIGN UP FOR FOX 7 AUSTIN EMAIL ALERTS
Donations to the schools’ emergency funds will directly support students through small grants. Even a small contribution can be of great help to students facing unexpected expenses, Mendoza said, whether those are groceries lost during power outages or other weather-related losses.
This browser does not support the Video element.
Austin Energy biomass power plant remained offline during outages
Before the winter storm hit Austin and cut power to thousands, Austin Energy's biomass power facility in East Texas was already offline.
The 12-day crowdfunding effort will end Wednesday, March 10. In the spirit of friendly competition, the school that raises the most money for Texas students in need will be announced at the March 30 baseball game between the rivals.
RELATED: Texas Railroad Commission chair answers questions in hearing over power outages from winter storm
"This has probably been the most uniquely challenging year students have faced in a long time," Kikkeri said. "We had so much unrest, so much hurt in the country — it just permeates throughout our lives. The winter storm was another thing added into the mix, and we see a great need for students right now."
UT Austin students seeking aid as a result of the winter storms can submit an application online here. Texas A&M students seeking aid can submit an application online here.