After a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti in the capital of Port-au-Prince on January 12th, relief groups were quick to organize. President Obama quickly pledged the United States full support to Haiti, and former president Bill Clinton raised funds through the Clinton Foundation.

The NJIT community has also taken measures to help the efforts in Haiti. Started on January 19th, a table in the campus center was set up to make donations to UNICEF. As a United Nations group, donations made to UNICEF do not pay administrative costs, and instead go directly to the victims. Donations made to UNICEF will also be matched by the George Harrison Fund.

Engineers Without Borders has also made substantial efforts on a water purification project in order to provide desperately needed clean water.

Last Wednesday, January 20th, an International Coffee House was held in GITC to raise more funds. Another Coffee House will be held on Wednesday the 27th at 4:00 PM, sponsored by the Office of International Students and the Campus Center.

Also on Wednesday the 20th, A prayer vigil was held to raise support and knowledge of the crisis in Haiti. Through song and prayer, many organizations on campus brought the NJIT community closer together to support Haiti. Many speakers of Haitian descent also spoke and expressed their emotions and concern for all those affected by the earthquake.

In conjunction with the vigil on Wednesday, a Haiti relief planning meeting was held where organizers discussed future plans for Haiti relief efforts on campus. The priority is to raise funds first as other organizations in Haiti diagnose what exact items can be used. Of immediate concern is the need for items such as antibiotics, water, and clothing. The collective effort of the campus community to raise money for Haiti will be called “Highlanders for Haiti”.

Ideas from the planning meeting include the NJIT community possibly adopting a town or hospital in Haiti where the funds raised would go. Also tentatively, Phi Beta Sigma and HASAN will organize an educational event called “Haiti: Before, Now, and Beyond”.

Some coming fundraisers on campus include “Hockey for Haiti”, where the school’s ice hockey team will raise money at its game against the Seton Hall Pirates at the Englewood Field Club. Alpha Phi Omega will run a Haiti relief wristband sale in the campus center lobby from January 25th through the 29th.

On January 27th, the IFSC and Office of Greek Life will sponsor a “Meet the Greeks” event in the campus center lobby featuring food sales and live music and performances by the Greek community.

The following week, on February 1st, the NSBE will host “Give to Receive” by playing jazz and handing out poetry in the campus center for Haiti relief as well.

The table raising funds in the campus center, set up on January 19th, will run through the 29th starting at 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. As of Thursday the 21st, the campus center has raised $368,000 dollars towards Haiti relief.

Campus organizations and leaders will continue throughout the semester to support Haiti and set up fundraisers and aid efforts. The Vector will also follow updates on the relief events and activities, and post a weekly indicator of current fund totals raised by the NJIT community.

Assistance is still needed in all current and coming efforts to donate to Haiti relief. Anyone interested in organizing a fundraiser or similar activity should coordinate with Donna Minnich in the campus center, first floor. This is in an effort to avoid scheduling conflicts and centralize the fundraiser effort.