$1,500 raised for Haiti relief effort
By: Vincenza Previte
Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: News
A few days after the tragic earthquake in Haiti on Jan. 17, Webster University students came together to create the Haiti Relief Committee, a group dedicated to collecting money for the relief efforts in the ravaged island nation.
WU's Red Cross is in charge of collecting money on the committee's behalf. So far, over $1,500 has been raised through donations from students, staff and faculty.
The group's initial goal was to collect $1,200. Proceeds will be put on account at WU and transferred to the American Red Cross on Feb. 10 through an online donation.
"The main goal of the campaign is not only to raise funds for the relief but to raise awareness of the disaster, too," said Tommaso Palma, president of the WU Red Cross.
Palma said due to students' positive response to the fundraising, the committee will host additional events during the spring semester to raise more money.
The committee was first organized on Facebook. Minutes after the tragedy, WU students started posting messages on their statuses seeking other students looking to create an organization to help those in need.
Sabrina Reveron, founder of the Haiti Relief Committee and vice president of WU Red Cross, said she is grateful for all the support received from professors, volunteers and different student organizations and hopes more people will continue donating money to both the WU Red Cross and the American Red Cross.
"Students and student organizations have been very supportive," Reveron said. "It's in times like these we need as much participation as possible. The littlest donation can make a difference."
The Student Government Association, the Latin American Student Organization, WU Red Cross, ONE Webster, the Society of International Languages & Cultures and the Multicultural Center & International Student Affairs are co-sponsoring the committee.
Daniel Hellinger, professor of international relations, said while student relief efforts serve as important humanitarian gestures, the efforts have also helped raise awareness of the challenges Haiti is now facing.
WU's Red Cross is in charge of collecting money on the committee's behalf. So far, over $1,500 has been raised through donations from students, staff and faculty.
The group's initial goal was to collect $1,200. Proceeds will be put on account at WU and transferred to the American Red Cross on Feb. 10 through an online donation.
"The main goal of the campaign is not only to raise funds for the relief but to raise awareness of the disaster, too," said Tommaso Palma, president of the WU Red Cross.
Palma said due to students' positive response to the fundraising, the committee will host additional events during the spring semester to raise more money.
The committee was first organized on Facebook. Minutes after the tragedy, WU students started posting messages on their statuses seeking other students looking to create an organization to help those in need.
Sabrina Reveron, founder of the Haiti Relief Committee and vice president of WU Red Cross, said she is grateful for all the support received from professors, volunteers and different student organizations and hopes more people will continue donating money to both the WU Red Cross and the American Red Cross.
"Students and student organizations have been very supportive," Reveron said. "It's in times like these we need as much participation as possible. The littlest donation can make a difference."
The Student Government Association, the Latin American Student Organization, WU Red Cross, ONE Webster, the Society of International Languages & Cultures and the Multicultural Center & International Student Affairs are co-sponsoring the committee.
Daniel Hellinger, professor of international relations, said while student relief efforts serve as important humanitarian gestures, the efforts have also helped raise awareness of the challenges Haiti is now facing.
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