The concern and support for the Haitian disaster has expanded as fundraising programs continue to pop up in the Seattle U community. One of the more high-profile events will be a benefit concert March 5.
Student leaders have teamed up to plan the concert titled, “For the Love of Haiti.”
The concert will be held in the Campion Ballroom with all of the proceeds going to aid the humanitarian efforts in Haiti. While directed toward the Seattle U community, the event will be open to the public.
The concert will showcase the talent of a few student bands and possible headliners include notable Seattle acts Hey Marseilles, Kay Kay and his Weathered Underground, and This Providence. Special guests will include players from the Seattle Sounders FC soccer team and Mayor Mike McGinn.
McGinn said he will be in attendance presuming unforeseeable circumstances do not interfere. Autographed Sounder merchandise like soccer balls and jerseys are expected to be sold or raffled off with portions of the proceeds going to Haiti.
The student organizers are expecting to raise around $2,500. Attendees will be able to pre-order tickets for the March 5 event or purchase them at the door.
The leadership organizing the event is trying to keep event costs at a minimum in order to see every dollar possible make its way to Haiti.
Donations toward the restoration of Haiti also continue to pour into Campus Ministry.
“People are giving generously, of their time and their finances,” said Sean Bray, social justice minister. “I think the response has been great. I had someone walk into [the Campus Ministry] office and make a thousand dollar donation. People just feel compelled.”
Earlier this month, Osbaldo Hernandez, one of the students helping organizing the concert, created the Facebook group, “In Solidarity with our Haitian Friends.” The group has already collected more than 800 members, and the number is still growing.
The group’s wall highlights upcoming events in support of Haiti relief and gives information about where and how to donate.
“I’ve had really good feedback and responses from the people there,” Hernandez said. “It’s a small group but still enough to gather some support. People can share their condolences [and] contribute whatever they know.”
Other organizations on campus are putting on their own fundraisers to benefit the Haiti relief effort or modifying already-planned events into fundraisers.
A special Mass covered by news media was held Jan. 14 for the people of Haiti in the Chapel of St. Ignatius. A portion of the funds raised by the Residence Hall Association during Casino Night Jan. 22 was donated to relief efforts in Port-au-Prince.
University Choirs will accept donations for Haiti at their concerts. The School of Theology and Ministry’s Search for Meaning: Pacific Northwest Spirituality Book Festival held in the Pigott building Feb. 13 will also be accepting donations. The festival features presentations from prominent regional authors on issues of spirituality, faith, church-matters and theology.
Men’s basketball, in partnership with Mission and Ministry, plans to raise funds during the game against California State-Bakersfield Feb. 27.
Xavier Global House is engaged in a penny war, a battle between floors to collect the most pennies. SEAC will donate a portion of profits it makes at Battle of the Bands Feb. 11 as well.
Zachary may be reached at zdunn@su-spectator.com.
Be the first to comment on this article!