As various organizations around the world continue to send aid to Haiti, Loyola continues to organize fundraising efforts. In an attempt to organize and combine these contributions, the Center for Community Service and Justice held a Haiti Brainstorming session last Friday in Cohn Hall.
Organized and run by Missy Gugerty and Christina Harrison, the meeting was a centralization of all the efforts going on around campus.
"We had the meeting mainly because so many different groups (on campus) were responding and it was important that the efforts were coordinated and nothing was duplicated," said Ms. Harrison referring to the purpose of the meeting.
At the meeting, various ideas were shared between all attendees - students, staff, faculty and school administration. With a wide range of ideas thrown around, the group wanted to be sure to maximize the fundraising in order for it to be strong and effective. Though there were several ideas for supporting Haiti, there was one commonality between them all: Loyola's adherence to the Jesuit ideal and values of men and women for others.
"Our mission says to learn and lead service in a diverse and changing world," said Missy Gugerty of the help Loyola is and will be giving. "The question is, 'can we take a leading role, and can we be of service to the people who need our help?'" she continued.
It was a common belief that disasters such as Haiti are what bring out the core of our Jesuit tradition. Essentially, it was not an option for Loyola to not respond to the earthquake. "Because of our mission, we have a responsibility to help and serve these people," says Gugerty.
Christina Harrison adds, "We are 'men and women for and with others' - and when the others are experiencing pain or are being marginalized, we, as citizens of the world need to take the opportunity to respond to this and help."
Since many Loyola students do not know much about Haiti or the Haitian people, ideas that were tossed around at the meeting were a possible mini-series of speakers and a "Night for Haiti"; both ideas would not only benefit the victims of Haiti, but it would also educate the student body. Neither of these are definite plans yet, but the wheels are turning in CCSJ to bring about awareness.
"We don't know a lot about Haiti, and given this tragedy, they will rebuilding for years to come and we want to be able to educate ourselves about the country and what our help can do. We need to raise a lasting awareness to the community," said Gugerty of the possible plans.
Additionally, it was recognized that the devastation is going to be a lasting problem for years to come and that our awareness and help should not stop now. "We have to think long term," says Gugerty. "Some people cannot contribute financially, so we have to consider what we can do beyond that. What we have to do is give until it hurts."
Fortunately, one of Loyola's Spring Break Outreach groups is traveling to Immokalee, Florida at the beginning of March. "Immokalee has a significant Haitian population that will have been directly impacted having lost family members and homes," Harrison said regarding the work that they will be doing in the community.
In addition to the SBO help, a variety of events are being held on campus in conjunction with CCSJ and other campus groups. WLOY has been hosting a multitude of events on campus and is still collecting donations at the WLOY station and communications department office. The station has currently collected $2,900 in donations.
This past Wednesday there was a Helping Haiti dinner at Primo's followed by a jazz night hosted by the Caribbean Student Union.
The Fitness and Aquatic Center is also doing their part to help with relief. Hounds For Haiti will be collecting "used, not abused" old athletic footwear to donate to Haiti. Anything ranging from sneakers to cleats is much needed.
To donate or find out more ways to help, visit CCSJ in Cohn Hall or their Web site: www.loyola.edu/ccsj.
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