According to David Griffith, executive director of the American Red Cross Northern and Central Missouri branch, every little bit helps.
That's why he and ARC Account Manager Jennifer Brooks came to Westminster College on Monday. Students at the school spent three days this month raising funds for Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts, collecting just over $205.
"We've had a great outpouring here in Mid-Missouri as well as the rest of Missouri," Griffith said. "People are supporting people they don't even know."
The hurricane pounded southern Texas in late August, causing billions of dollars in damage. Griffith said he'd recently returned from a visit to affected areas.
"It's a mess," he said.
Chaplain Resident Kiva Nice-Webb explained students set up a table in the student center. Various Greek organizations sponsored their own jars, competing to see which could raise the most. Beta Theta Pi came out on top.
"Our community service guy walked around the dorm every night for about a week," said Ben Davis, chapter president.
He said of the 45 active Beta Theta Pi members, everyone gave at least a little.
"We made bets about who would give the most," Davis said. "One time, a guy put in $10 so I literally pulled out $11."
He said the fraternity is very charity-focused, and has a history of supporting the American Red Cross.
Nice-Webb said this fundraiser is part of Westminster's effort to meet local needs when they arise, rather than on students' own time.
And, she added, Texas will be needing post-Harvey help for a long time.
"Relief efforts continue way after the event is in the news," Nice-Webb said.
Griffith said the American Red Cross was involved in relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina for about three years. They expect post-Harvey relief to take four to five years.
The college also had a well-attended blood drive Wednesday.