William Penn University, in partnership with Sodexho Campus Services, will host a benefit dinner to raise funds for victims of recent tornadoes in Iowa.

The spaghetti and meatball dinner will be served Tuesday, June 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the dining hall of Dana M. Atkins Memorial Union on the William Penn University campus. Tickets can be purchased at the door and will cost $5 each with an additional donation requested.

Tornadoes hit hard throughout Iowa in recent weeks, causing major damage and destruction to homes and cities. Eight people were killed and 50 injured in the city of Parkersburg. The tornado was designated an EF5 with winds reaching up to 205 miles per hour and was the strongest tornado the state of Iowa has seen in 32 years. Butler County has officially been declared a disaster area by Gov. Chet Culver and President George W. Bush. The Federal Emergency Management Agency reported that the damage to Parkersburg is estimated around $6 million.

Less than a week after the tornado damage in northeast Iowa, Attica was hit with a tornado causing destruction to the small town. Approximately 10 people were injured and many homes and businesses were severely damaged.

All of the funds raised at the benefit dinner at William Penn University will be given to communities in Iowa affected by the tornadoes.

“This is an opportunity for Oskaloosa, Sodexho Campus Services, William Penn University and the surrounding communities to show our combined support for the victims of natural disasters in Iowa. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the dinner will go to aid the unfortunate victims of these natural disasters. We are in the process of contacting community leaders in the stricken communities to see where our money can be of best use,” said university Vice President for Advancement Steven C. Noah.

Dana M. Atkins Memorial Union is located on the north end of William Penn’s campus along Highway 63/North Market Street. An elevator is available in the building for those who cannot climb stairs. A parking lot is available off Highway 63 next to the union. To view a campus map, visit the university Web site www.wmpenn.edu and click “About Penn;” or for more information, contact Jennifer Jentz, public relations coordinator at (641) 673-1078 or email jentzj@wmpenn.edu.