Walk-a-thon for Haiti relief

Haiti will be receiving more support thanks to a little exercise.

The EWU Undergraduate Bachelor Program of Social Work (UBSW) organization held a walk-a-thon Saturday, March 6, in order to raise money for Haiti.

Nichole Smith, an EWU social work student, thought of the idea as part of her desire to help the people of Haiti.

“I believe if you can get two to three people who are passionate about something, you can get a lot done,” she said.

UBSW began selling Haiti walk-a-thon shirts before the event as part of their fundraiser. From shirt sales alone, they have been able to raise about $500. All proceeds from the event will be given to Heartline Ministries, which gives 100 percent of the money they raise directly to Haiti.

“This wasn’t a religious thing, and we didn’t pick the organization based on that. It was purely based on helping those in need and we wanted to give to an organization who would give all the money we raised directly to Haiti,” Smith said.

The event gained support from family and friends of the students involved. UBSW also received an overwhelming amount of support from faculty and fellow Eastern students wanting to help out a good cause. Smith said that they received generous support from the media department which helped advertise the event.

A lot of time and energy went into organizing the fundraiser, UBSW President Maria Turner said. They started planning in late January, spending countless nights getting everything organized, she said.

“We were impressed by the idea Nichole came up with. We knew there was no reason not to do anything to help, so we just had to take baby steps to put everything together,” Turner said.

After the walk-a-thon, the social work program held a Haiti benefit concert with numerous performers to raise more money. Brandon Gregory, who spent two weeks in Haiti after the earthquake, spoke at the concert about the great need that still exists in Haiti.

Gregory worked with an orphanage in Haiti and said that one of the hardest things to witness was the tent cities that people were living in due to the unsafe conditions of the remaining buildings. The tent cities are comprised of tarps hung up and little huts built out of whatever people can find for shelter.

“The medical aid going down to Haiti is helping many children survive and live normal lives. So the support that people are giving really is making a difference,” Gregory said.

Smith also hopes to put together a memory book, with prayers and notes of support from EWU students for the people of Haiti. Smith said that any support will help in their time of need, even if someone can’t give money.

“It is important to understand what is going on. People need to realize the world is a big place and that every little bit helps in making a difference,” Gregory said.