News release Public Information Office  SLU 10880   Hammond, LA 70402   phone: 985-549-2341   fax: 985-549-2061 publicinfo@selu.edu Spring 2004 news releases Public Information home News archive Contact: Christina Chapple Date: 2/11/05   SOUTHEASTERN STUDENTS COLLECTING SOCKS, SHOES FOR IRAQI CHILDREN SOUTHEASTERN ESTABLISHES ST. TAMMANY, BATON ROUGE DROP OFF SITES FOR SOCK/SHOE DRIVE FOR IRAQI CHILDREN       HAMMOND -- The enthusiastic response of area residents has prompted Southeastern Louisiana University’s Gamma Beta Phi to establish additional drop off sites for “Ben’s Kicks for Kids,” the student honor and service society’s collection of socks and shoes for Iraqi children.        The drive, which will run through Feb. 23, was inspired by the concern for Iraqi children of a Southeastern and Gamma Beta Phi alumnus -- Sgt. 1st Class Ben Necaise of St. Francisville, who is stationed in Baghdad with Bravo Company of the Army National Guard's 1088th Engineer Battalion, 256th Brigade Combat Team.       Jackie Dale Thomas, co-advisor for Gamma Beta Phi and director of Leadership Development/Student Activities at Southeastern, said that in addition the main campus drop off -- room 110 in the War Memorial Student Union -- members of the community can also bring donations to Southeastern’s Baton Rouge Center on Essen Lane and St. Tammany Center on Koop Drive near Mandeville.        The Baton Rouge Center, which houses the Baton Rouge campus of the university’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences, is located at 4849 Essen Lane, directly across from Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. Donations can be left in the building’s front lobby.       At the St. Tammany Center, donations will be collected in room 313. The center is located on the third floor of the St. Tammany Administrative Complex on Koop Drive near the intersection of I-12 and Louisiana 59.        Donations will be accepted through Feb. 23 at all locations from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., weekdays. Checks, which will be used for postage, can be sent to Southeastern Gamma Beta Phi, SLU 10414, Hammond, LA 70402.       For additional information, contact Thomas at 985-549-2233.