The suffering of the Haitian people in the wake of last week’s earthquake has sparked an outpouring of sympathy on the University of Indianapolis campus, where students are organizing to support relief efforts.
Among other projects, UIndy’s Catholic Student Association and United Methodist Student Association have joined forces to lead a fund-raising effort they’re calling Hearts for Haiti.
Under the slogan “Prepare for Valentine’s Day by sponsoring a heart for Haiti,” the students will staff a table in Schwitzer Student Center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day from Jan. 25 to 29. Students who donate a dollar can post a message on a red paper heart. Proceeds will be divided between Catholic Relief Services and United Methodist Committee on Relief, both of which have sent volunteers to Haiti.
Also, UIndy business students who are raising money to attend an academic competition have decided to redirect some of their proceeds to Haiti relief.
UIndy President Beverley Pitts praised the efforts in a message to campus about the Haiti crisis.
“This is a compassionate community that has always reached out to others in need, whether right here in Indianapolis or in other states or nations,” she wrote. “In challenging situations like these, we rise to our very best and demonstrate that we truly live our motto of ‘Education for Service.’”
Aid organizations also are accepting contributions online:
United Methodist Committee on Relief – www.umcor.org
Catholic Relief Services – www.crs.org
American Red Cross – www.redcross.org
