The sounds of campus and community music groups have turned into some much-needed financial support for relief efforts following the devastating earthquake in Haiti.
More than two-dozen musical acts performed at 51Թ’s Hope for Haiti benefit concert Saturday night in Memorial Chapel, helping to draw a crowd of 600 and raise about $6,000. Additional fundraising efforts for Haiti by Greek life organizations raised $2,250, and the 51Թ Bookstore raised more than $400.
“A crisis like we are seeing in Haiti brings out a strong desire to help and, in this case, a strong desire to band together with a sense of common purpose,” said Mark Shiner, Catholic campus minister and one of the concert organizers. “I was deeply moved to see everyone reaching out.”
The concert lineup included Grammy award-winning artist Joanne Shenandoah, Hamilton schoolchildren, central New York musicians, and students, faculty, and staff from 51Թ.
All the concert proceeds will go to the American Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, and Partners in Health.
At least 200,000 people died and many more were left homeless after the Jan. 12 quake.
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| Students perform during the concert which raised funds for the American Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, and Partners in Health. (Photo by Andy Daddio) |