Fundraising for the Brandeis Haiti Relief Effort (BHRE) continued this week, getting Brandeis even closer to the goal of $25,000. BHRE has tentatively raised more than twenty thousand dollars, but exact figures are still being determined.
Money raised will be donated to Hope for Haiti, Partners in Health and Empowerment Through Education camp, a camp created by Shaina Gilbert ’10 for Haitian Children.
Upcoming events for Haiti include Hoops for Haiti, a student vs. faculty and staff basketball game coordinated by Nate Rosenblum ’10. Three players include Dean of Student Life Jamele Adams, Ellen Wright (PSYC), Student Union President Andy Hogan ’11 and Theresa Sheehan ’11. Professor Jacob Cohen (AMST) will be the coach of the faculty team. Tickets can be purchased at the Shapiro Campus Center box office, and the game will be in Gosman on Thursday, April 15.
The Student Union, BHRE and the Office of the President are co-hosting “A Night for Haiti,” a fundraising event on May 1 for students, faulty, staff, alumni, trustees and parents of students in Massachusetts. The event will take place at 7:30 p.m. in Levin Ball Room.
Class of 2012 Senator Abby Kulawitz and Senator for Racial Minority Students J.V. Souffrant ’13 proposed a Senate Money Resolution asking for a $1,500 donation from the Senate, which passed and will be used for lighting, decorations, music and security costs. Kulawitz and other senators are currently working with BHRE to prepare for the event. In addition to the Senate money, the E-board has agreed to donate $3,000 and Global Haiti Initiative (GHI) will donate $1,000 in funding. The Office of the President has also agreed to contribute $2,000 in funding.
The goals of the event are to celebrate the efforts of BHRE this semester as well as to raise additional funds through ticket proceeds, the silent auction and additional contributions.
“A Night for Haiti” will include musical entertainment, and hors d’oeurves and deserts will be served throughout the evening. A silent auction will be held and items available for the auction will be announced in the coming weeks.
Students are currently in the process of planning the fundraiser and are working to organize the event in coordination with the administration, Student Events, as well as working with Alumni Relations to publicize it.
Members of the Brandeis community will receive invitations either in the mail or via e-mail early next week, and tickets will be made available for purchase online through the Brandeis box office. Tickets will cost $10 for Brandeis students, $15 for students from other colleges and $25 for all adults.
Pachanga and Liquid Latex were two of the recent events that donated their proceeds to BHRE. Pachanga proceeds from both the fall and the spring semester were donated to BHRE.
The effort to raise awareness and support for Haiti will continue beyond this semester into next year. Members of a Haiti Leadership board have met twice a month since January and coordinate different aspects of BHRE, ranging from educating the community about Haiti to planning how to divide funds among the three charities.
