Since the earthquake in Haiti, there has been an incredible outpour of support from various organizations and events in Boston. It’s pretty amazing how, when push comes to shove, people really do care about things that matter (and do not actually care about things like Tiger Woods’ infidelity). It’s great to see what Boston is doing for a country so far away. I wonder what kind of efforts are being initiated in other towns and cities…if Boston is raising thousands and thousands, what are other places doing? Can we really make a difference?
The answer is Yes.
Boston University’s largest event to raise awareness about and money for Haiti takes place tomorrow at the George Sherman Union. I spoke with senior Sam Minkoff, who is the event coordinator for Boston Stands with Haiti, about the huge plans for tomorrow’s festivities.
Q: How many things are actually going on on Sunday? In what rooms–and are all the events in the GSU?
Sam: There are a ton of things going on all over the GSU! Downstairs, the back court will hold two separate panels of incredible speakers speakers (one at 2PM and one at 4PM). [http://www.bu.edu/haitihelp/events/february-28/panel-discussions/]
Upstairs in the small ballroom, people will walk through an interactive museum educating individuals on Haiti’s history and culture. They will then walk into the large ballroom which will have 5 hours of live entertainment and speakers, including a fashion show, slam poetry, a fashion show, an orchestra, a capella groups, appearances by Governor Deval Patrick and state representative Marie St Fleur, and much more. We will also be holding a video teleconference live on the ground in Haiti with the Commander of the 82nd Airborne division, who is responsible for overseeing the transportation of all supplies in and out of Haiti from the US. [http://www.bu.edu/haitihelp/events/february-28/performances/] There will also be Haitian food available in the Ziskind Lounge for purchase from Sunrise Caribbean Cuisine and dessert from The Fireplace Restaurant. There will be a silent auction with TONS of incredible items ranging from David Yurman jewelry to a day with the Boston Police Department in the division of your choice. [http://www.bu.edu/haitihelp/events/february-28/silent-auction/] A live feed with video and audio will be streaming in the Conference Auditorium for those that wish to sit down.
Q: How long have you guys been planning the event? What has been the process of planning?
Sam: Just over a week after the earthquake, the Haitian Cultural Association on campus held a meeting to discuss what different students on campus could do to respond to the horrible earthquake that hit. While many students had ideas for smaller events, a clear need for a larger multi-group, multi-department collaboration arose. Having experience planning larger scale events, I offered to step in to help put a team together to plan and execute a huge event in a just over a month. The project took off from day one, with individuals stepping in to plan all portions of the event ranging from not only the physical elements but also necessary elements including Public Relations, Advertising, and Volunteer Management. This whole thing wouldn’t have been possible without the immense effort from everyone involved in the planning stages. [http://www.bu.edu/haitihelp/about/sponsoringgroups/]
Q: What are some of the main highlights you’re expecting for Sunday?
Sam: I’d like to see the University come together in a way we’ve never seen before. We’ve invited individuals from all over the City of Boston including members of the Haitian community. The hope is that everyone will come together and unite for a common cause. What would make me the happiest is if the event succeeds in serving the two purposes it was intended to. First, and perhaps most important, is the need to educate individuals on Haiti from every angle. The second goal is to raise money to help recover a nation that needs help now more than ever. Individuals need to remember that event though the camera crews pulled out, people are still in need of help. The repercussions of a natural disaster of this magnitude last years, not months.
Q: How much money are you planning on raising?
Sam: Boston University has agreed to match whatever we raise by up to $25,000. I hope to exceed that match to the best of our abilities! We have already raised almost $10,000 as a result of events and fundraising that took place in the weeks leading up to our event (planned by various student groups and through the sale of our quilt squares [http://www.bu.edu/haitihelp/2010/02/06/bu-hearts-haiti-quilt/] and wrist bands.
Q: Where is the money going? What organization?
Sam: 100% of the money will be going to Partners In Health. See www.standwithhaiti.com for more information. Paul Farmer, the co-founder of PIH, has been on the ground in Haiti providing health care to individuals for over 20 years. PIH was also one of the first on the ground in Haiti to respond to the disaster. We chose them because we know that 100% of the money will go to Haiti and that PIH will be on the ground for years to come and provide the long term relief that we truly believe Haiti needs.
There’s a really good BU Today article on the event that has lots of info. [http://www.bu.edu/today/campus-life/2010/02/25/big-benefit-haiti-sunday)] Our website bu.edu/haitihelp is also really informative and is the location of the live feed we will be streaming over the internet on Sunday during the event to individuals who aren’t able to attend in person. The silent auction bids will also be updated live online and individuals will have the opportunity to bid by telephone on one of over 50 items in the live silent auction!
To join the event’s Facebook page, click here.
