Volusia schools raising money for Haiti quake victims    

BY JAMES HARPER    
DAYTONA TIMES    

Volusia County Schools hopes to learn this week if it reached its goal to collect $70,000 to help the victims of the Haiti earthquake.

"The school district is collecting money to be donated to the Red Cross for the Haiti earthquake victims. It was a superintendent initiative," said Nancy Wait, spokesperson for Volusia County Schools.

Every Volusia parent and staff member was asked to contribute $1 toward the school district’s Haiti Earthquake Relief Effort. Donations were accepted through Jan. 29.

"The collection went through Friday, Jan. 29. However, we have not received all the monies from our schools yet. As soon as all the monies are collected and accounted for, we will announce it and forward the money to the Red Cross," Wait added.

District gave during tsunami, Katrina

During the hurricanes of 2004, the school district received assistance in its recovery, including support from volunteer workers, supplies for students and aid from outreach programs.

In 2005, the district organized the Tsunami Relief Effort and Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort as ways for the school district community to give back to others in need.

More than $59,500 was collected and presented to UNICEF (United Nation Children’s Fund) for the victims in Southeast Asia and $117,000 was collected, matched by an anonymous donor, and presented to the American Red Cross for the victims in New Orleans.

Stetson to host Hearts for Haiti

Now with Haiti in need, Volusia hopes to rally its 62,000 students and 8,000 employees to collect $70,000 to help the victims of the earthquake.

Other area educational institutions also are trying to raise funds and awareness to help Haiti.

Stetson University will hold a Hearts for Haiti Benefit from 7:30 to 11 p.m. on Saturday at the DeLand campus. The public is invited to attend and admission is free.

Stetson music faculty and students will perform a benefit concert from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Lee Chapel in Elizabeth Hall, 421 N. Woodland Blvd.

K-G and the Band, a Winter Park band featuring soul and afro-beat music, will perform until 11 p.m. in the Quad area of campus around Holler Fountain.

Stetson student Michael Slowey, folk vocalist and guitarist, will open for the band. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for the outdoors portion of the benefit.

Proceeds going to relief efforts

T-shirts and posters commemorating the event will be on sale, along with refreshments. Various student organizations will participate. Donations will be accepted, with all proceeds going to benefit the victims of the Haiti earthquake.

The donations will be routed through three charities – Doctors Without Borders, the American Red Cross and Oxfam. Donors will have the option of designating their preferred charity.

For more information, call the Stetson Office of Public Relations and Communications at 386-822-8920.

Athletes collecting items

In addition, Daytona State College’s student-athlete Community Service Leadership Committee has embraced the Haiti relief effort as one of its service projects for the year. Items have been collected during the Falcon’s home baseball games.

On Feb. 10, the softball team will be collecting items during a 4 p.m. game at the softball facilities against Indian River State College.

Items being collected include bottled water, diapers baby wipes, toothpaste, toothbrushes, baby formula, crackers, sleeping bags, flashlights, batteries, toiletries, cereal, beans and rice.

Campaign ends Wednesday

Monetary donations also are welcomed. The team is asking that the donation is made in the form of a check, payable to Daytona State College. Donors must indicate on the checks that the donation is for the Haiti for Life Campaign.

The campaign concludes Wednesday, Feb. 24, when all donations will be taken to the American Red Cross.

For more information about the Haiti Relief Fund and other Community Service Leadership Committee initiatives, call 386- 506-3670.

Students at Bethune-Cookman University have held a prayer vigil for Haiti earthquake victims. The university also has reached out to students, faculty and staff to make donations to the Red Cross.

Church hosting food drive

CrossRoads Baptist Church of Daytona Beach also is collecting items for its Haiti relief food drive. Donations of items such as granola, cereal bars, cereal, peanut butter, blankets, towels, washcloths, personal hygiene products, first-aid kits, antibiotics, flashlights, batteries, generators, and monetary donations can be dropped off at the church by Monday, Feb. 15.

According to the church, these items will be sent via airplane directly to Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The items can be dropped off at the church, 1851 S. Clyde Morris Blvd., Monday to Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, call the church at 386-760-4806 or send an e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .