CAMDEN - Haiti's recovery from a devastating earthquake most certainly will depend upon the outpouring of others. Students at Rutgers University's Camden Campus, especially those with personal ties to the Caribbean nation, have begun to rally their peers to not only contribute to the cause, but to learn more about the country.
Since students returned to Rutgers-Camden for the spring semester, several events have included opportunities to donate funds for Haitian recovery in exchange for "Help Haiti" magnets, stickers, and awareness bracelets. A display on Haitian culture and history continues to be on display in the Campus Center.
"Students reached out to me about how they can help," says Monique Mathews, Rutgers-Camden assistant coordinator of campus involvement and residence life. "It's easy to be called to act and everyone jump in head first, but we thought it best if we coordinate efforts."
This also has allowed students concerned about Haiti to get to know each other and to establish one disaster fund created on behalf of Rutgers-Camden that can be donated to through RU Express, a university-wide dining card. Donations for the cause now exceed $1,000.
Jeff Jones, a Rutgers-Camden honors student, operates a nonprofit called Miracles Global, which is dedicated to making a difference in distressed communities. Jones created the "Help Haiti" magnets and stickers, based on suggestions from Miracle Global's Facebook fans.
"I also decided to have Haiti stickers created so Haitians and non-Haitians alike can show their solidarity in this time of need. The stickers are blue and red like the Haitian flag," says Jones.
While Kerlin Hyppolite, a Rutgers-Camden junior, will likely acquire several Help Haiti stickers, his Haitian pride has long been proudly displayed in his dorm room. Just two days before the earthquake, his mother returned to New Jersey from visiting Port-au-Prince. His father is still there, 15 miles north of the epicenter, tending to property that had collapsed in the quake.
"I'm glad my dad is fine, but there are a lot of people who are not," says Hyppolite who has many positive memories of the country where he lived for seven years. A return trip was in the works for this June.
To educate the campus on Haitian traditions and customs, Hyppolite led a panel discussion last month.
"Haiti's history didn't start after the earthquake. It's the first country to be freed from slavery in the Western hemisphere," he adds.
The Rutgers-Camden student says many friends have reached out to him about the earthquake and he hopes that this will help fuel the campus relief efforts for Haiti.
"Because they know I'm Haitian, it gives some people a personal connection and lets them feel more sympathy for a country in shambles."
Since students returned to Rutgers-Camden for the spring semester, several events have included opportunities to donate funds for Haitian recovery in exchange for "Help Haiti" magnets, stickers, and awareness bracelets. A display on Haitian culture and history continues to be on display in the Campus Center.
"Students reached out to me about how they can help," says Monique Mathews, Rutgers-Camden assistant coordinator of campus involvement and residence life. "It's easy to be called to act and everyone jump in head first, but we thought it best if we coordinate efforts."
This also has allowed students concerned about Haiti to get to know each other and to establish one disaster fund created on behalf of Rutgers-Camden that can be donated to through RU Express, a university-wide dining card. Donations for the cause now exceed $1,000.
Jeff Jones, a Rutgers-Camden honors student, operates a nonprofit called Miracles Global, which is dedicated to making a difference in distressed communities. Jones created the "Help Haiti" magnets and stickers, based on suggestions from Miracle Global's Facebook fans.
"I also decided to have Haiti stickers created so Haitians and non-Haitians alike can show their solidarity in this time of need. The stickers are blue and red like the Haitian flag," says Jones.
While Kerlin Hyppolite, a Rutgers-Camden junior, will likely acquire several Help Haiti stickers, his Haitian pride has long been proudly displayed in his dorm room. Just two days before the earthquake, his mother returned to New Jersey from visiting Port-au-Prince. His father is still there, 15 miles north of the epicenter, tending to property that had collapsed in the quake.
"I'm glad my dad is fine, but there are a lot of people who are not," says Hyppolite who has many positive memories of the country where he lived for seven years. A return trip was in the works for this June.
To educate the campus on Haitian traditions and customs, Hyppolite led a panel discussion last month.
"Haiti's history didn't start after the earthquake. It's the first country to be freed from slavery in the Western hemisphere," he adds.
The Rutgers-Camden student says many friends have reached out to him about the earthquake and he hopes that this will help fuel the campus relief efforts for Haiti.
"Because they know I'm Haitian, it gives some people a personal connection and lets them feel more sympathy for a country in shambles."
Efforts underway at the Rutgers School of Law have also generated funds for the cause. Approximately $1500 was raised for Partners in Health, which was coordinated by several student groups and faculty members. A bake sale, led by the Student Bar Association, also generated an estimated $120 for the Red Cross.
The Impact Booth, located in the Campus Center, continues to accept donations for Rutgers-Camden's Haiti relief efforts.
Media Contact: Cathy K. Donovan
(856) 225-6627
E-mail: catkarm@camden.rutgers.edu