As people across the country take part in relief efforts after the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Penn State students are banding together to raise funds for the cause.
Spearheaded by the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA), Council of LionHearts and the Office of Student Affairs, many campus organizations will be a part of setting up a table for donations in the HUB-Robeson Center. Interested students can donate from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today and every day next week.
UPUA Student Life and Diversity Chairman Christian Ragland said UPUA's involvement is important to spreading word of the fundraiser across campus.
"Our role is to just let organizations know that there is a university-wide effort for Haiti," Ragland (junior-political science) said.
Ragland hopes the fundraiser will engage students, helping to unite the student body in aiding Haiti. In 2004, a similar campus-wide effort was created to aid tsunami victims in Indonesia.
Eight relief organizations, some of which are based in Haiti, have been selected to receive funds, said Judy Albin, senior associate director for Union and Student Activities. The American Red Cross, CARE, the Clinton Foundation and World Vision are among the selected groups.
Donators can put cash into envelopes for the organization they wish to donate to, she said. Students who cannot make it to the HUB can donate to any of the organizations through their Web sites. Albin stressed that it is important to incorporate Haitian organizations into the relief effort.
"It's best to give to organizations in Haiti," she said. "That way, we know the money will definitely make it there."
The fundraiser was first discussed Thursday morning at a meeting of the Council of LionHearts, a student volunteer group managed through Student Affairs. LionHearts Adviser and Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Philip Burlingame proposed taking donations.
Jim Harvey, director of the Council of LionHearts, said the current focus is cash donations, but groups hope to expand as more organizations get involved.
"We have the resources at the roundtable to reach all facets of campus," Harvey (senior-English) said. "We want people to research and get involved with this story."
Penn State students experiencing distress related to the disaster may seek counseling services from CAPS. Call 814-863-0395 for an appointment.
