For the average “poor college student”, donating $50 or more to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Katrina victims might seem like a stretch.

But Abby Bollenbacher, senior, thinks giving up a vice for a victim may just be a student’s best shot.

Bollenbacher started a blog called “Vices for Victims” last month, which is intended to inspire other people on campus to give up a vice and with that money donate to a charity for hurricane victims.

“It’s to encourage people to give up a little of what they have for the people who now have absolutely nothing,” she said.

The blog can be found at http://vicesforvictims.blogspot.com/.

None of the money goes to Bollenbacher but her blog offers links to the American Red Cross and a charity navigator. All she wants is a post of what people have given up to hopefully inspire others.

“Money is so scarce right now with the economy, and college students have the mentality that they’re poor college students,” she said. “I don’t think they realize how much they do have.”

Bollenbacher makes little sacrifices and gives money that she saves to the hurricane relief effort. For example, Bollenbacher returned a pair of pricey heels that she bought on sale.

“And the heels inspired me to think, how can I inspire other people to think this way?” she said. “I almost cried when I had to give back those shoes.”

Another sacrifice was that she gave up going to dinner and a movie with her boyfriend, and instead, they did something free.

“We just went with his dogs to the park, it was excellent,” Bollenbacher said. “Do something for free and then give that money to people who don’t have anything.”

Her inspiration came from a variety show to encourage people to give to hurricane victims called “Performing Good Deeds,” which was organized by graduate student Jeff List and held by the Forensics Honorary, Pi Kappa Delta, which is a speech and debate team.

“She (Bollenbacher) took my suggestion and she created something entirely on her own,” List said. “I’m incredibly honored, it really speaks for the power of one person.”

List’s benefit unintentionally made Bollenbacher feel guilty for not doing what she could for the hurricane victims. She was inspired by List to do a good deed of her own.

List also believes it doesn’t take much to help others.

“We don’t have to save the world, we just need to do what we can do,” List said. “And then we have these unintended consequences that go beyond what we were trying to do.”

List was not the only person to be affected by the “Vices for Victims” blog. Sandra Mencer, director of the Springboard Program at the University, was also inspired by the blog.

“I feel like I could have gone out to Red Cross and given my $500 and be done with it, but instead I would prefer to give here and there,” Mencer said. “Because I can generate enthusiasm in others to give and help encourage the ground swell of young people giving.”

While Bollenbacher’s friends in the community are supportive of her, it is harder for some of her other friends to be involved.

“My close friends are not college students, they have ‘real jobs’ and live in the ‘real world’ so it’s harder to get people with real jobs to give smaller amounts more frequently,” Bollenbacher said.

Mencer, who could have given all her money at once, chose not to, and one of the reasons was this blog.

“I wanted to recognize the fact that (Bollenbacher) is trying, I wanted to give her kudos and tell her I appreciate what she’s doing,” Mencer said. “So I am giving an extra $50 to the Red Cross to encourage her to continue and others to contribute.”

Bollenbacher, like many, felt distanced from the hurricane tragedy.

“It’s right there, you know you should do something, but you don’t, you ignore it like homework,” she said. “I just want people like me, who are detached from the situation, to have an outlet to give back to those less fortunate.”

Mencer also believes that inspiration emanating from one person can be contagious to others.

“The blog clearly shows what one person can do … It’s about getting people involved and showing them how to be larger than themselves,” she said. “It’s about the power of the collective.”