'Haiti Week' gives relief on one-month anniversary of earthquake disaster
Hosted by William & Mary Supports Haiti, a student-run umbrella organization of more than 11 student organizations, all benefits from this week's activities will be donated towards the University of Fondwa, a post-secondary institution catering to Haiti's rural poor that was demolished during the Jan. 17 earthquake that struck the island nation.
![William & Mary Supports Haiti was formed after an interest meeting was held, drawing more than 250 students](../../images/archive/2010/thumbnails/haiti-thumb.jpg)
"It was clear that with all the energy and eagerness to help in the room, a single day event would not cut it so it expanded into a week-long event," Student Assembly President and member of the WMSH Steering Committee Sarah Rojas '10 said. "I hope that this week is a kick-off event for a sustainable and continued commitment between the William and Mary community and our partner organizations in Haiti."
Activities throughout the week include such events as a scrapbook/letter writing campaign on Tuesday sponsored by the Catholic Campus Ministry and a talk next week at the William & Mary Law School by the former Minister of Justice of Haiti. Scheduled for Monday, the event is sponsored by the Black Law Students Association.
The week culminates in a benefit concert on Friday, the one-month anniversary of the quake, with performances by several different campus organizations.
Students are also encouraged to buy T-shirts throughout the week in support of the Haiti effort to be worn on Friday.
The following events will take place this week:
Monday
- Haiti relief T-Shirts, which will be sold for $10 with 100 percent of the profit going to WMSH, began being sold in the Sadler Center. This event will run throughout the week until Friday.
- Donation boxes, sponsored by Greek Life, APO, and the Student Assembly, were placed around campus to collect monetary donations.
Tuesday
- Aroma's, a café on Prince George Street in Colonial Williamsburg, sponsored a profit-sharing event with Phi Sigma Pi. For students, if a coupon found in the school mailboxes is brought, a percentage of all purchases will be sent towards the relief fund.
- 6-8 p.m.: Catholic Campus Ministries hosted a scrapbook/letter writing campaign from the "catacombs" of their chapel on Richmond Road.
Thursday
- Dining services will be teaming up with the Commons (Caf) to donate 25 cents to each person who swipes into the dining hall. There will also be a Haiti food station from 4:30-8 p.m.
- 7 p.m.: An interdenominational service will be held in honor of Haiti in the Sadler Center. The event is free, but participants are encouraged to donate $2 to the relief effort.
Friday
- 8-10 p.m.: A benefit concert will be held in the Sadler Center Commonwealth room with performances by a cappella, dance and step groups. Landon Yarrington '09 and Jonna Knappenberger '09, will also be sharing their experiences from Haiti.
Saturday
- 7 p.m.: A benefit concert will be held by the campus's a cappella groups in order to help Haiti.
- NetworkWilliamsburg and AMP have organized a bowling relief effort. ($5 to bowl for two hours, $4 of which goes to the Haiti fund)
Monday
- Black Law Students Association will be co-hosting a talk about Haiti by the former Haitian Minister of Justice at the Law School room 119.