UAlbany Donates More Than $75,000 to Haiti Relief Efforts

 

The UAlbany Haiti Relief Fund, which includes matching funds donated by University Auxiliary Services (UAS), has raised more than $75,000 to support the relief efforts following the devastating Jan. 12 earthquake that left an estimated 220,000 dead and one million homeless.

A total of $37,924 was donated to the Haiti Relief Fund, and was matched dollar-for-dollar by UAS, increasing the amount provided to relief organizations by the extended UAlbany community to $75,848.

This resulted in the Clinton-Bush Haiti Relief fund, Yele Haiti, and Partners in Health each receiving approximately $25,283.

The Haitian Student Association (HSA) led the way in fundraising, directly raising about one dollar out of every six donated, for a total of $5,840, while also boosting other donations through events, communications, and HSA student involvement with other campus organizations.

"On behalf of the Haitian Student Association, I would like to thank the University community for making our goals a reality," said UAlbany EOP counselor and Haitian Student Association adviser Patrick Romain. "Though the need is still huge, it will make a big difference in many people's lives. They should feel very proud."

Also raising significant contributions were Project Recover ($1,734) and School of Social Welfare students ($1,008), among many others.

"Every gift counted," said J. Eric Smith, executive director of UAS, who reported the conclusion of the Haiti drive. "It was truly awe-inspiring to see so many students stop by our offices in UAB to make their contributions individually or represent smaller campus groups."

Donations flowed in from community groups that are affiliated with UAlbany either through alumni or family ties. Most notable were donations from: Shaker High School, North Colonie ($3,440); Raul Castro Middle School, Phoenix, Ariz. ($2,000); the Black and Latino Student Alliance at Schenectady County Community College ($1,300); and Ticonderoga Middle School ($800). In addition, Chartwells at UAlbany made a $2,000 cash donation, supported campus events through in-kind contributions, and provided meal plan support for students in need.

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