Fundraising Extends 40 More Days
March 1, 2010 • By Danielle Strickler,
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30 For 30 Benefit Dinner To Be After Spring Break
HARRISONBURG, VA. — Forty more days will be added to the 30 For 30 Travay pou Chanjman campaign.
Originally scheduled to end March 2, the Haiti relief project has extended its deadline to April 22 to meet its goal of $30,000 in 30 days for three charities working directly in Haiti with earthquake relief. The three organizations are Partners in Health, Haiti Outreach Foundation and Fonkoze. So far, members have raised about $8,000.
“We have made a great effort thus far, but it’s hard to get students motivated when the few students organizing with faculty feel overwhelmed from the project,” said Kelly Pilkerton, a junior social work major.
According to Pilkerton, the organization ran into problems early in the process after the campaign began Feb 3.
The group plans to hold a benefit dinner after spring break in the Festival Highlands Room. Dining Services will provide the food and labor free of charge, according to Jillian Johnston, co-chair of the dinner committee. The meal of salad, chicken, sides and cheesecake will be served buffet-style.
Though the exact ticket price has not been set, according to Pilkerton the dinner will be affordable for students as well as the community.
“I feel that they could raise more money, if they had picked a different day,” said Christine Rocha, a freshman business major. “They picked Friday, the day before spring break, so not many people are going to be around.”
Volunteers have also held fundraisers at a gymnastic meet and a volleyball game, where they asked spectators to donate money to the cause. The organization is continuing this type of effort.
“I am on the club lacrosse team, and I am participating in a fundraising event for 30 For 30 as part of our community service,” said Reagan Beasley, a freshman health science major. “I am going to sit at a booth in Festival and collect donations.”
“For Love, For Haiti” was a benefit dinner and dance held Feb. 13 with all proceeds benefiting 30 For 30.
The organization began as an extra credit assignment for about six students in the sociology class of professor Nikitah Imani. What began as a simple brainstorming session after the Jan. 12 earthquake evolved into helping the country recover.
According to Pilkerton, who handles the Penny Wars on the Commons, the group has run into a lot of problems with a lack of support for the fundraising events. With the extended deadline, Pilkerton hopes more organizations will join such fundraising programs as Penny Wars. Organizations are supposed to sign up, and the JMU community will vote on their favorite organization.
30 For 30 is also hosting “Two for You,” an envelope campaign where students pick up an envelope and collect $2 from students. At the end of the day, they turn the envelope in and start over the next day. Faculty members can also participate and should have received an envelope in their mailboxes.
There is a Web site where students, faculty and staff can purchase items to support Haiti, and 30 For 30 gets $5 from every product sold. Any money raised will be split equally between the three organizations.
“I feel that this is a huge goal, and that they may have done better if they would have advertised more,” said Andya Tellez, a freshman international business and marketing major.
Although the organization formed to specifically help Haiti, Pilkerton hopes it will continue to help others around the world.
For more information or to donate, visit https://sites.google.com/site/jmu30for30.
Contact Danielle Strickler at strickdj@jmu.edu
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