Student organizations host HaitiAid
Written by Justin Harken Friday, 29 January 2010 08:00
In the weeks following the devastating earthquake in Haiti, people across the nation have been opening both their hearts and wallets to help the struggling country.
HaitiAid, a benefit show organized to raise money for earthquake victims, featured five bands from the Fargo-Moorhead community.
The show started at 7 p.m. and attendees were encouraged to donate $3 at the door. The bands that donated their time to the cause included Paint the Night Black, Seeds, Emily and Micheal, Solace, and Stick Figure.
Michael Houts, guitarist for Emily and Michael, decided to participate in the show because he felt it was a great way to do his part in helping.
“I think it’s our obligation to help those who can’t help themselves. Music is a great way to raise money because a lot of people can contribute,” Houts said.
PRSSA and Model United Nations sold “I Helped Haiti” buttons in the Memorial Union on Monday and Tuesday. Buttons were $3 and served as a ticket into the show. All of the proceeds went to the United Nations World Food Program’s Haiti Crisis Relief Fund.
Brianna Ehley, event organizer and member of both PRSSA and Model United Nations, was very pleased with the events turnout and credited the filled room to the good character of the Fargo-Moorhead community.
“As we all found out last year, the F-M area is a community that pulls together in times of need. We knew this would be no exception,” Ehley said.
Kelsey Miller, president of PRSSA, agreed to join with Model United Nations to utilize both groups’ skills to reach out to ask the F-M community for help.
“Sometimes things happen that are bigger than you, and we felt the need to help,” Miller said. “Especially after the flood, we knew our community could pull together to show Haiti the same kindness and generosity many people showed us.”
PRSSA and Model United Nations are student organizations that have put together fundraisers and service projects over the years. The organization’s members saw Haiti’s urgent need for help and utilized their skills to help.
“After watching nothing but the devastation and destruction in Haiti on the news, we decided we wanted to help in any way that we could,” Ehley said. “So we merged Model United Nations, which is a group that has an obvious interest in the international community, with PRSSA, an organization that specializes in hosting events and working on ad campaigns. The two groups have worked very well together to organize an event that we hope will make a difference in both Haiti and our local community.”
The student organizations are continuing to accept donations. Anyone interested in donating can contact Ehley at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Miller at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Erik Braaten at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
