Hundreds Donate Emergency Goods to Brooklyn College’s Haiti Relief Effort, More to Come

Within just a few days of the massive earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, members of the Brooklyn College community and neighbors of the college had hurriedly collected and boxed enough much-needed medicine, first-aid supplies, food and clothing to fill four vans.

"More than a hundred people and representatives of student organizations donated what they could in a very short period of time," said Jennifer Rubain, director of the Office of Diversity and Equity Programs, who organized the collection effort. "The Target store on the Junction was cleaned out of some items," she said.

Added Rubain: "We were shocked by the response."

She noted that an alumna of the college, Francelene Louis, '03, a native of the impoverished nation and a volunteer translator with NOVA Hope for Haiti, alerted the college of the need for donations. Among many of the campus groups that helped in the donation drive was the Haitian-American Student Association.

Doctors and healthcare workers with NOVA Hope for Haiti flew to the Caribbean nation on January 15, taking some of the donated supplies with them, said Rubain. The rest of the supplies are to be shipped to Haiti with other volunteers this week.

"I wish to extend a special thank you to the volunteers, especially leaders of several student organizations, who met in the Office of Diversity and Equity Programs to help sort, box and transport the donations," said Milga Morales, dean of student affairs. "It is truly amazing what a group of committed volunteers can accomplish in such a short period of time."

Dean Morales also said that the college was organizing an ongoing drive to benefit survivors of the disaster, as part of the overall CUNY effort.

She said new incoming students would be told of the opportunity to donate during their Orientation program this week. In addition, a meeting is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Thursday, January 21, in the Student Center for all those who are interested in sharing and contributing to the relief effort.

Dave Bryan, of the Student Affairs Office, has been named coordinator of the Brooklyn College Haiti relief drive. He may be reached at 718.951.5352.