Photo by:

DU joins worldwide mourning of the tens of thousands of Haitian earthquake victims with a memorial and vigil at 8:15 p.m. in the Driscoll Gallery today.

The vigil is preceded by a panel discussion featuring Korbel students, professors and a member of the Colorado Haiti Project, which will take place tonight in the Driscoll Gallery from 6:30 – 8 p.m.

The discussion will focus on the political history of Haiti, a Haitian native’s thoughts on the tragedy and the view of on-the-ground service in Haiti.

Since the earthquake last Tuesday, DU students have organized a collection of funds on Driscoll Bridge.

Almost $5,000 has been collected so far.

“This outpour has been incredible,” said Jess Hunter, a graduate student who is helping organize Tuesday’s events.

The event coordinators hope to raise at least $10,000.

“We’re hoping to far surpass $10,000 and then put the challenge onto the other universities and colleges within Colorado and say, ‘Look what DU is doing, what can you do?'” Hunter said.

Also today, the DU Grilling Society will be grilling drumsticks on Driscoll Lawn to raise money to assist relief in Haiti with music from KVDU.

The event starts at 11 a.m. and is expected to go until 2 p.m., and more than 300 people are expected to attend. 

“It was really impromptu. D.U.G.S. loves to be a part of the campus community and originally saw a little grilling as a good fundraiser,” said Jason Lundberg, co-founder of D.U.G.S.

“The scope grew as I realized that we could easily challenge other student organizations to give with us and make a larger impact,” Lundberg said.

From there, Lundberg and D.U.G.S. united to organize one large fundraiser.

“It helps those in need in a devastating time,” Hunter said.

D.U.G.S. hopes to raise $10,000 from student organizations, individuals, residence halls, university departments and alumni.

So far nearly $5,000 has been raised.

And the reaction from the DU community has been great, Lundberg said.

“We have had donations from law students, Korbel students, undergraduate students, staff members, student organizations, departments,” Lundberg said.

All proceeds will be sent to the Lambi Fund of Haiti, chosen because it is a second responder.

“Not to say that first responders aren’t important, because they are,” Hunter said.

“We’ve seen the need for first responders, like the American Red Cross, and they are crucial.  However, when the minds of the West forget about tragedies, and we do forget, second responders are there to make economic infrastructural decisions that will help support the country long after disaster relief has alleviated the situation.”

Following the discussion, DU’s chaplain, Gary Brower, will lead a memorial and a vigil at 8:15 p.m. in Driscoll Gallery.

To donate online, visit duhaitirelief.org.