Students 'Stand With Haiti'

More than 30 student groups organized a week of fundraising and events

By Andrea Albers

EVANSTON, Ill. --- Port-au-Prince may be 1,850 miles from Evanston but it is close to the hearts of Northwestern students planning a week of fundraisers to aid in earthquake relief.

In an effort titled "NU Stands With Haiti," more than 30 student groups collaborated to organize daily events and drives on campus and in the Evanston community Jan. 21 to Jan. 28. Organizers hope to raise $8,000 or roughly one dollar for every undergraduate. Proceeds will go to Partners In Health and the American Red Cross

Events include theater productions, panel discussions, a homemade bracelet sale and a yoga class with Lane Fenrich, assistant dean of the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences.

"We hope to respond effectively as a community," said Peter Luckow, a senior in the Weinberg College and a director in the global health student group GlobeMed. "I think a lot of our drive comes from the urgency of the situation and the potential for a coordinated, passionate student response."

Organizers also hope to foster discussion about Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, and its surrounding issues both before and after the earthquake.

"The response from the student body has been overwhelmingly positive," said David Chase, a freshman in the Weinberg College and Associated Student Government senator. "We know we can make a difference, and we feel it is important that we do all that we can."

The Residential College Board has placed boxes in all residential colleges to collect needed supplies that will be sent to Haiti.

Donations to the "NU Stands With Haiti" effort can be made online.

Source: Northwestern Newscenter