The earthquake that devastated Haiti has prompted SAIT students and other Calgarians to open their hearts and wallets to aid in the relief effort.
The 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on Jan. 12, originating near Léogâne, located just west of the capital, Port-au-Prince. International Red Cross estimated that roughly three million were affected and up to 200,000 were killed.
The severity of the quake has stimulated a big push to raise funds on campus, as well as around the city.
SAIT’s Student Association announced it will match all donations collected at jars around the SAIT campus. These can be found at SenSAtions, SenSAtions Express, and The Odyssey for those willing to part with their leftover change.
“I feel as though if I can do something to try and help, then I should,” said Dan McIntyre, a second year Radio, Television, Broadcasting and News student.
McIntyre, along with a group of fellow students, put together a bake sale on Friday, with all proceeds to be donated to Haiti relief. McIntyre said that they have had a great amount of support from students and were also able to receive baked good donations from Something Sweet By Nicole, as well as WolfBay Café.
However, campus efforts aren’t the only means by which people can participate in fundraising activities.
Calgarian Laureen Fresin, 27, who was personally touched by the quake, reached out by collecting donations and participating as a dancer at The All Star Jam for Haitian Relief. The event included a big lineup of local talent and all donations collected are to be donated through The Canadian Red Cross Society.
“It’s good to reach out, because it really does make a difference,” Fresin said.
Having lost several family members in the tragic event, including an uncle who was found dead underneath his store in Port-au-Prince, Fresin ultimately hopes to make it down to Haiti to help aid relief in person.
Similar events in Calgary include the Humanity for Haiti fundraiser event at the Distillery on Jan. 26, as well as a Haiti Benefit show at The Forum Lounge on Jan. 22. Donations generated at these shows will also be given to aid Haiti through The Red Cross.
Fresin has been trying to get involved with the Haiti Association of Calgary, and although there are no specific details as of yet, the association will also be organizing a fundraiser for disaster relief on Jan. 28.
The amount of support that has already been generated only goes to show the real gravity of the current situation in Haiti.
On top of events and fundraisers, places like The Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, Avaaz.org, OneXOne, and Partners In Health are all accepting donations online that they say will go directly into the relief effort for Haiti. Also, many cell phone providers are participating in text-to-donate campaigns where customers are able to donate simply through texting.
“It’s really important to get involved,” Fresin said.
“In the end we all live on the same planet.”
