Moved by the graphic destruction and human suffering after a major natural disaster that took place in Haiti in January, students of Clarion University wondered what they could do and how they could help with this rough recovery.
An e-mail from University President Joseph Grunenwald said, “On behalf of our Haitian students, alumni and colleagues, the Clarion University community joins all academic communities to pledge its unflinching support to the humanitarian efforts that are critical to Haiti’s recovery.”
With these efforts in mind, Clarion’s Political Economy Club and College Conservatives established the Clarion Students Association (CSA) Haiti Disaster Relief Fund.
Relief from students came almost immediately. Students arrived back from break on Jan. 19, and were already discussing what they could do in a meeting held the very next day. On Saturday, Jan. 23, students organized the “No More! Project” for the Martin Luther King Community Celebration in the Gemmell Multi Purpose Room. The Lift, Every Voice Gospel Choir, along with the Kudets step team, opened for a short play about struggle. The event raised $345 for the CSA Haiti Disaster Relief Fund.
On Wednesday, Jan. 26, the Student Athletic Advisory Council collected donations during both the men’s and women’s basketball games. They also collected contributions at the following Saturday’s game. Tables for the relief fund were set up in the Gemmell Student Complex, Eagle Commons and the Carlson Library from Jan. 25 to 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Students at the Venango campus have staffed tables for the fund as well.
“I donated $15 for the cause,” said Isaac Leonard, student and Lift Every Voice president. “I donated $3 more at the MLK event on Saturday.” Other RSOs and Clarion International Association currently have fundraisers underway. the brothers of Sigma Phi Epsilon have also lent a hand in helping the Haiti Disaster Relief Fund. They too set up tables and asked for donations in various locations on campus.
“Our tables coincided with the Haiti Relief Fund’s,” said Neal Henry, a brother of Sigma Phi Epsilon. “We wanted to show others that we were helping the effort as well.” During this Friday’s Battle of the Bands, the brothers will help to continue to extend help to the Haiti relief fund.
“Again, we’ll have tables set up where we will be collecting donations,” said Henry. “We’re going to do whatever we can to help.”
