“Boston Stands with Haiti” Surpasses Expectations

BU’s largest Haitian relief event, “Boston Stands with Haiti,” not only brought in the big bucks for Haiti’s recovery efforts but also ended with a bang thanks to The Official “Boston Stands with Haiti” Benefit After Party.

After Haiti’s devastating earthquake on January 12, 2010, a variety of BU offices and organizations has sponsored numerous efforts, including selling quilt squares and a capella

Students contributed to BU's fundraising efforts for Haiti by enjoying pizza at the After Party. | Photo by Nicole Cousins

performances, to raise funds for health care provider Partners in Health and its branch in Haiti, Zanmi Lasante, according to BU’s Haiti relief effort’s website.

“Boston Stands with Haiti,” BU’s primary fundraising event, swept past the initial $25,000 goal and raised over $50,000, with BU matching $25,000 of those funds, said Jonathan Priester, the student coordinator for the After Party.

“Boston Stands with Haiti” was held on Sunday, February 28, in the GSU from 1:00-6:00pm, and  included a small museum of Haitian history and culture, performances by a number of student groups, video chat with the Commander of the 82nd Airborne Division in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, a fashion show, silent auction, food samples, and panel discussions with BU faculty and outside experts on Haiti.  The event drew hundreds of attendees, most notably Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, who spoke briefly and was followed by the Dear Abbeys’ rendition of Lady GaGa’s “Pokerface.”  A myriad of student organizations, campus offices and departments as well as local organizations and businesses sponsored the event, according to the website.

As a message to BU students, Governor Patrick said, “I admire and am inspired by [BU students’] goodness.”  Although initially scheduled to attend and speak at the event for a total of 20 minutes, Governor Patrick was so impressed by the event that he stayed for nearly an hour despite a pressing schedule, said Raul Fernandez, one of the event’s organizers and Assistant Director of the Howard Thurman Center at BU.

Following the event, The Official “Boston Stands with Haiti” Benefit After Party offered the event’s volunteers and BU community members an opportunity to celebrate BU’s relief efforts and Haitian culture, according to Priester.  Hosted at the Upper Crust Pizzeria on Commonwealth Avenue, the After Party provided free pizza, $2 drafts, and raffle prizes in exchange for $10 donations that were put directly towards BU’s fundraising pool.  DJs from Flavorheard contributed tunes to the festive night.

In total, the After Party raised $2,205, attracted about 200 people and annihilated 20 whole pizzas, said Priester.

“We just wanted to make sure [the volunteers] didn’t forget to celebrate,” said Priester.

In addition to hosting the After Party, Upper Crust Pizzeria donated additional pizza for the volunteers of “Boston Stands with Haiti”.

“Upper Crust likes to get involved in Haiti fundraising and wanted to connect with BU anyways,” said Upper Crust Pizzeria Manager Carla Pantuosco, who served as one of the primary After Party coordinators.

“Boston Stands with Haiti” and the After Party required over a month of organization and hundreds of volunteers throughout the day to run the events.

Reflecting on the BU community’s efforts to help Haiti, Fernandez said, “We take tragedy, we take crisis, and we turn it into a triumph.”

About Rachel Stine

Rachel Stine (COM'12) is the Campus Editor for the Quad. She loves sailing the uncharted waters of BU's campus goings-on to uncover some of its deepest secrets and hidden treasures.

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