Members of the Florida A&M University Green Coalition have received the funding necessary to make the trip to the Power Shift environmental summit in Washington, D.C.
On Feb. 5, the organization received news that it would receive a housing grant from the organizers of Power Shift rather than a transportation grant, as expected.
Because the organization did not receive the transportation grant, the organization had to raise about $7,000 to make the trip.
LaRae Donnellan, adviser of the coalition, reached out to the organizers of the Power Shift summit, and they were able to provide a large portion of the funds necessary to pay for transportation for the group.
Donellan said the organization asked for financial assistance and will recieve it.
“The Energy Action Coalition is willing to wire $4,000 to the bus company,” Donnellan said. “In addition to the money the EAC is willing to provide, the National Wildlife Federation will also send $1,500 to the bus company.”
C.J. Gassam, 19, a freshman architecture student from Chesapeake, Va., and president of the coalition, said he was glad the EAC recognized the importance of FAMU’s presence at Power Shift.
“I was pretty excited that the EAC realized how important it was for us to go,” Gassam said. “They realized the importance of our voice and what it means for us to be there.”
Coalition member Antoinette Abington, 22, a Spanish student from Arkansas City, Kansas and FAMU Green Coalition member said she is excited that everyone will be able to make the trip.
“I thought that if we didn’t get enough money only a few people would get to go,” Abington said. “Receiving the money has been great news.”