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Haiti Relief
Are we doing enough?
Published: 1/30/2010 10:29:35 PM

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Photo Courtesy CBS

It’s been two and a half weeks since the devastating earthquake in Haiti; and an estimated one hundred and fifty thousand people are dead. When the 7.0 earthquake shook the Caribbean nation, aid flew in from all over the world. But what is the University doing for Hatian relief? And is it enough?

"I think if the university did do something I think a lot more people would get involved, I know I would, some of my friends definitely would", says freshman Aleah Accardi. That's the reaction many students have when asked about helping the island nation of Haiti, but it seems word of events has not been spreading.

Hartford is known for its motto "committed to community", but some students say that they feel the university isn't doing enough for the poorest country in the western hemisphere.

Michael Rush, another freshman, says, "I don't think we're able to do enough, but I don't think we're working to our full potential to help them."

Although the administration hasn’t taken any visible action, some organizations on campus, like the Caribbean American Student Association, are pushing to get their fellow students involved. The president of C.A.S.A., Kevin Williams, says that he sees people supporting the cause, but no one is really initiating anything, and his motto for this year is "initiate and communicate."

On Tuesday January 26th, Brothers and Sisters United held a candlelight vigil in order to raise awareness for the need of aid in Haiti. Some groups on campus have tailored their usual fundraising tactics to help outside organizations that have been bringing supplies to the Caribbean. Hartt's MENC has been selling "I 'heart' hartt" shirts in order to fund their events, but now they are taking all of the funds and giving it to the American Red Cross.

Greg Wilfrid, '11 president of MENC, notes that "there are people that need that money more than us."

Ways to help

Donate to C.A.S.A.
C.A.S.A. is collecting money to be given to CIDI. You can find the donation jar near the main entrance of Gengras Student Union.

I "heart" Hartt T-Shirts
MENC will be selling shirts for Haitian Relief on Thursdays until the end of February. They are $10 each. Order forms can also be found on the MENC bulletin board on the second floor of Hartt across from the gig-line. MENC will also be hosting a tie-dye event on March 27 at noon outside of Konover.

Donate to the Red Cross
Text the word "Haiti" to 90999 to donate $10 to the Red Cross.

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