As we all know, for the past few weeks, students, faculty and members of the College community have been working hard to donate time, energy, money, clothes, canned food and school supplies to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina. We have worked hard to welcome new students from the Gulf Coast area to Amherst, and we are now welcoming some new faculty members and their families to the Amherst community as well. There is no question that we have come together in the wake of disaster and are now working towards a common good.

In light of the tragedy in New Orleans, we all have started to think more about what we can do to help those in need. As we continue the ongoing dialogue on campus about the responsibilities of members of the community to those less fortunate than ourselves, we urge everyone to consider those students who volunteer on a regular basis. We know there are many students who volunteer throughout the semester, but we are afraid that the tremendous efforts of those who volunteer in the community weekly often go unnoticed.

Every Sunday, students participating in 3D trek down to the gym to play basketball with devlopmentally disabled individuals. Each week, up to six members of Habitat for Humanity join students from Smith College and spend seven consecutive hours, beginning at 9 a.m. on Saturday mornings, working on community building projects. Students volunteer at local soup kitchens, at the food bank, tutor local children and participate in Big Brother/Big Sister. The Community Outreach office advertises many different volunteer opportunities in their weekly e-mails.

We commend you, volunteers, and we hope that others recognize that your efforts extend beyond the time frames of a tragedy. Continue what you are doing­-you go out into the community as representatives of Amherst College, and you truly do us justice. To the rest of College community, we urge you to follow the examples of your peers.

During the last two weeks, we have seen the campus come together. We admire the community's ability to coordinate the effort to help Katrina victims. But why stop there when there are people in the area who are in need?

We understand that volunteering in groups might be the most comfortable (and probably also the most fun) way to get involved in a volunteer project. If you live in a suite, grab your suitemates and ask if they'd like to volunteer. If you don't live in a suite, talk to your hallmates. We're confident that at least a few people would be willing to join you. Ask your RC to send an all-dorm e-mail looking to find interested volunteers.

Spend an hour helping to prepare or serving a meal at a soup kitchen. Or just donate that sweater you never wear to the Salvation Army. Whatever you choose, just know that you are putting a smile on someone's face.