Vanderbilt students are coming together to help 3 million Haitians devastated in the wake of a 7.0 magnitude earthquake on Tuesday.
“Time is of the essence, so that’s why we needed to act now,” said freshman Shelby Begany, vice president of Stambaugh House. Begany, along with Stambaugh president TC Clausell, began organizing a screening of “Up” immediately after hearing news of the earthquake.
“After I saw the earthquake on TV, I sent out a few e-mails to the Commons Presidents Council and started to solicit help for an idea for us to do a relief event,” Clausell said.
The council is sponsoring the movie night with assistance from the Commons Programming Board and Dean of The Commons Frank Wcislo, and while the event is free, donations are strongly encouraged, and money raised will go to the American Red Cross International Response Fund.
“The movie ‘Up’ captures the spirit of what we’re trying to do. It’s an uplifting movie. (Haitian residents) are helpless, and we have the ability to do something. If we have the resources to help, it would be selfish of us not to. Anything we can do will help,” Clausell said.
Other campus groups are joining together to assist Haiti as well.
Vanderbilt Red Cross has joined together with Vanderbilt Student Government, Lambda Chi Alpha, Delta Gamma and several other organizations to host “Hope for Haiti,” a dinner fundraiser on Jan. 29.
“It is our goal to increase awareness, to raise money and to help the people in Haiti,” said Vanderbilt Red Cross president Melissa Zhu. “I hope through this event people can realize there are multiple ways to help. People can donate money, get training for mass care and donate blood.”
With multiple events already planned and more in the works, the Office of Active Citizenship and Service is working to assist all students interested in participating in disaster relief efforts. In an e-mail sent to students on Thursday, the office stated the American Red Cross would be on campus next week to work with students to help promote effective responses. The work isn’t going to stop any time soon.
“Our hope is that this will be the first of many relief events to come,” Begany said.
What you can do:
Vanderbilt Caribbean Students Association
The group will be on the Wall today collecting monetary donations for relief in Haiti through Theo’s Work, Inc. They will be on the Wall every Thursday until March 18.
VSG/The Commons
A “Night at the Movies” featuring a screening of animated film “Up.” The event will be in The Commons Center Dining Hall on Saturday at 10 p.m. Donations of any amount will be given to American Red Cross International Response Fund for Haiti.
“Hope for Haiti”
Co-sponsored by Vanderbilt Red Cross, VSG, Lambda Chi Alpha, Delta Gamma and other groups, all proceeds from the dinner will go toward the response fund. Tickets cost $8 and can be purchased on the Wall, and extra donations can be given then or at the event on Jan. 29.
Vanderbilt Red Cross
The organization will host another Mass Care Training on Feb. 6 from noon to 4 p.m. and a blood drive on Feb. 24. To sign up or to learn more about how to be a Red Cross volunteer, visit www.vanderbiltredcross.org.
OACS
Visit the OACS Web site (www.vanderbilt.edu/oacs) to show your or your student organization’s interest in assisting with relief efforts on campus or to learn about nonprofit and relief organizations in Haiti that are accepting donations.
