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Nashville is still trying to recover from the damaging tornado Monday. While the city may be almost a thousand miles away, several students have still been deeply affected.

First-year student Carol Mitchell is from Tennessee and says that her days are now spent checking up on family and friends, and wishing she wasn’t so far from home.

“I’m thousands of miles away in Connecticut from Tennessee,” Mitchell said. “A lot of my friends were helping out in the tornado relief and I can’t do that.”

She first found out about the tornado from her mom, who is still in Tennessee. Mitchell’s family, as well as the rest of the state, have witnessed the destruction and aftermath while recovery efforts continue. 25 people have been confirmed dead, including five children under the age of 13.

“We can’t turn away from this now,” Mitchell said. “It’s happening and it demands our attention, no matter where we are.”

While distance may cause some to feel helpless, two Quinnipiac graduate students in the occupational therapy program have decided to turn their spring break vacation to Nashville into a meaningful symbol of hope for the people of Tennessee.

“We didn’t know if we should not go, if it would be sad to be there, if we should reschedule, but in the end, we knew we could do something to help,” Lauren Gardner said.

Holihan was planning on driving to Nashville and started reaching out to people hoping to fill her car with donations for shelters in the area.

Holihan is looking for anyone on campus to donate everyday items, including toiletries, clothes, blankets, and monetary contributions. She urges anyone interested in helping to email her at [email protected] or text (631) 624 – 5001.

The effects of a natural disaster like this one hits close to home for many here at Quinnipiac.

“We had a tornado 2 years ago that completely destroyed the Sleeping Giant,” Holihan said. “So imagine that the Sleeping Giant was your home.”

Even for those who have not experienced a tornado before, natural disasters often bring us all together and demand the attention of the nation.

“I think anything like a natural disaster always affects everyone, even if it’s officially not happening to you,” Mitchell said. “It could happen to you and then you would want people’s attention.”

Nashville’s Mayor, John Cooper, has also suggested methods to helping the state recover.

To donate money, people can visit the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee online at cfmt.org. To give everyday items excluding clothing to those who were affected, people can send donations directly to the Community Resource Center located at 218 Omohundro PI, Nashville, TN 37210.