Haiti concert raises $1,200 for Friends of the Orphans

Student leaders at Seattle University hosted a benefit concert for Haiti relief Friday after a month of planning.

The $10 per ticket event raised more than $1,200, with all proceeds going to Friends of the Orphans, a nonprofit organization currently working in Haiti. Throughout the night approximately 120 guests filtered through the ballroom.

Most of the early sets played to an audience of between 30 and 50 people, although by the end of the night the number had risen to approximately 80 attendees.

A passionate performance from vocalist Maddie Cary on the piano energized the early attendants. The demands of the audience at the end of her performance moved Cary to do an encore. The EriAm Sisters, made famous by "America's Got Talent," also spurred movement and smiles in the crowd. Attendance was highest for later performances from bands like Big Oil, Lions Ambition and finally, Eclectic Approach—all of whom brought the noise and engaged the crowd.

Early in the night concert goers heard from Seattle U alum Katie Hultquist, who is now the Northwest regional director for Friends of the Orphans.

Friends of the Orphans supports the organization "Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos" (Spanish for "Our Little Brothers and Sisters") with fundraising and volunteer efforts to change the lives of orphaned and disadvantaged children in Latin America and the Caribbean. The children are given an education and taught to be productive members of their community. They also provide housing, free pediatric hospitals, street services and other social services for children. The organization has facilities in nine countries worldwide.

According to Hultquist, Friends of the Orphans programs have raised more than 16,000 boys and girls to date.

Hultquist said it has been a privilege to partner with other disaster relief organizations but their long-term mission has always been to provide care for the children in Haiti.

"We've been there for 20 years and we'll be there 20 years from now," she said.

Hultquist came to speak about the nonprofit organization's ongoing efforts in Haiti and remember Molly Hightower— a former volunteer with the organization.

Hightower was a University of Portland graduate with Seattle U connections working who was killed while working in Haiti when an earthquake struck Port-au-Prince Jan. 12.

Her sister Jordan recorded a video message, which was played at the benefit concert. Jordan spoke of her sister's compassion in life and her family's support of her.

"She lived with a heart of compassion and a humble attitude, always shining her light on the others around her, always helping those in need," she said.

For the earlier portions of the night, slides illustrating some of the devastation in Haiti were projected on a screen in front of the audience. And while early on the audience heard about the disaster from Friends of the Orphans, Jordan Hightower and science and engineering professor Wes Lauer—who was working in Haiti when the quake occurred—few of the performers at the benefit concert mentioned Haiti relief efforts.

Despite agreements made prior to the concert, neither Mayor McGinn nor any players from Seattle Sounders FC were in attendance. The Sounders did, however, donate one soccer ball and two posters autographed by the whole team to be raffled off with the raffle proceeds to go to Haiti as well. The $1 raffle also included other prizes: a free dinner at Waid's restaurant and a dozen cupcakes from Cupcake Royale.

Kurupt clothing had a Healing for Haiti booth, selling their donated T-shirts at $10 each with all the proceeds going to Friends of the Orphans. Friends of the Orphans also had a booth set up to accept direct donations as well as provide information about their organization.

Attendance was lower than expected but organizers consider the event an overall success.

"I would have liked for more students to have attended," said one of the event organizers, Kyra de Silva, sophomore nursing major. "But I am truly grateful for those who came out and supported Friends of the Orphans."

Zachary may be reached at zdunn@su-spectator.com