Photo by: Devin Pitts-Rogers

On Tuesday, Jan. 19, DU hosted several events to help raise funds for the Haitian population.

The fundraiser, which began at 11 a.m., brought the school’s total amount raised to nearly $6,800, only about $3,200 away from the campus goal of $10,000.

The DU Grilling Society (d.u.g.s.) came up with the idea to draw more people to donate.

The success of the event, attended by 300 people, cannot be attributed to just one group of students.

“While d.u.g.s. had an idea to do a fundraiser, as you saw in the event today, the real crux of this effort has been to organize and centralize the efforts of the university,” said Jason Lundberg, Student Organization’s comptroller and d.u.g.s. co-founder.

About 65 percent of the money was donated by various student organizations on campus.

d.u.g.s. served grilled drumsticks, pineapple salsa and grilled vegetables.

The food was given free of charge, but consumers were encouraged to give what they could for the cause.

Lundberg explained the importance in bringing disasters such as the one in Haiti to DU students’ attentions.

“We live in a global world,” he said. “Things that happen in Haiti, or anywhere in the world, have a profound impact on our lives and the lives of those that surround us. It’s important for the university community to understand the fortunate position we are in, to be surrounded by such a great institution, and the abilities we have to impact the communities in need.”

Later that evening students and community members participated in a panel discussion of the Haitian crisis in the Driscoll Ballroom. 

It was organized by the social justice living and learning community and featured Professor Lynnn Holland, Figaro Joseph and Fr. Ed Morgan.

Professor Lynn Holland began the talks. She focused on the historical elements of the Haitian crisis.

Figaro Joseph, a Haitian graduate student at Joseph Korbel School of International Studies, explained his experiences in Haiti.

Fr. Ed Morgan co-founded the Colorado Haiti Project, which helps build schools with the help of 40 parishes and private donations.

He explained that working in a nation of such poverty changes a person and not only benefits the volunteer but also the community they work in.

“Starting the Colorado Haitian fund became a necessity, I never knew what it could become” said Morgan of the fund.

The audience was invited to participate after the speakers had made their final statements.

After the dialogue, members from campus religious groups joined the assembly in a vigil for the victims of the earthquake.

Visit duhaitirelief.org for updates on the DU Haiti Relief Fund.