FAU collecting aid for Haiti on all campuses

Written by: Staff Writers

Boca Raton-based Florida Atlantic University has hooked up with several area assistance agencies to help provide aid and relief to the survivors of the devastating earthquake in Haiti.

“In an effort to coordinate and consolidate FAU’s outreach to Haiti, the Division of Student Affairs, the Haitian student organization Konbit Kreyol and Student Government have developed the plan, in consultation with Food for the Poor, a charitable organization based in Coconut Creek that has a long record of rendering humanitarian aid to Haiti,” said Interim FAU President John Pritchett.

He said boxes have been set up on all campuses for the collection of clothing suitable for the tropics and non-perishable food items, with special need for the following: pop-top cans of evaporated milk, fish and meat, and bottles of water. Do not give anything in a can that has to be opened with a can opener.

Collection boxes are located in the Boca Raton campus Breezeway, in Chartwells locations and in Student Government offices on all campuses.

Hours of collection on the Breezeway are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Donations may be made at other locations during normal business hours Monday-Friday.

Pritchett said collections will continue at least until Jan. 29 and possibly beyond that date. Cash and checks will not be accepted at any FAU location.

The food, milk and water will be turned over to Food for the Poor for delivery to Haiti. The Weppner Center for Civic Engagement and Service will deliver the clothing items to the General Consulate of Haiti, which will handle its transfer to Haiti.

The interim president said volunteers are needed to staff the Breezeway collection point (four per hour) and to separate the food donations from the clothing donations. Volunteers should contact the Weppner Center at 561-297-3607.

Monetary donations to the relief effort may be made through the Food for the Poor website: http://www.foodforthepoor.org/ Go to the “Click Here to Help” link and make a donation in any amount by checking a box. Although the lowest amount that appears on the page is $35, contributors can make a smaller donation in the “Enter an Amount” box.

On the Boca campus, free counseling services are available to members of the university community who have been affected by this disaster in any way. Students should contact the FAU Counseling Center. Faculty and staff (including contract employees) seeking counseling support should contact the University’s Employee Assistance Program provider, Horizon Health. Click on “My Benefits” and then on “EAP Services.”

“Reflection Banners,” where members of the university community can express their feelings about the tragedy, have been set up on the second floor of the Boca Raton Student Union