There’s little need to re-cap the destruction and the chaos that has devastated the Gulf region after Hurricane Katrina’s storms. But what I do want to stress is the importance of how you, I and everyone we know can help make a positive difference.

I want to encourage our readers to donate to the American Red Cross today. Simply visit www.redcross.org and click on the “Donate now” button. It takes only a few minutes, a credit card and your willingness to help.

We live in a nation of wealth and privilege, but sometimes events transpire that destroys the American Dream for our fellow citizens. The aid that is needed is not a result of social, political or economic malfunctions but the act of a force beyond any human control. When a natural disaster strikes, we should be willing to help our fellow men.

Very rarely do we find opportunities to unite behind a common goal. Too often it takes an event such as this for us to realize that in the end, we only have each other for help.

The Red Cross is mobilizing the largest effort in history to attend to the victims of Katrina. The mayor of New Orleans, Ray Nagin, said that thousands may very well be dead and the entire city is being evacuated, according to The Associated Press.

Hundreds of thousands are without a home.

You might be thinking: “I’m just a college student. I don’t have a lot of cash.” Consider the fact that these people now are without a job. Their supplies of water, food, medicine and other basic necessities are low. Refugees are sleeping in shelters, if they’re lucky.

The situation that other fellow Americans are facing right now is widespread in the region and far worse than any of our living arrangements for college. They need help, and you and I can provide it.

Maybe you were going to watch a movie in the theaters this weekend, or head out to the bars with friends. Give up the cost of a night of drinking, or the price of lunch for a day. And forward that money to the Red Cross where it can change someone’s life for the better.

Katrina toppled communities, towns and cities along her path, but she didn’t destroy the nation’s ability to give.

Kiyoshi Martinez is a senior in communications. He is the editor in chief.