The Cal State Long Beach International Studies Student Association will be hosting a fundraising event “A Night for Haiti” at the Soroptimist House from 6-9 p.m. Friday.
All donations and proceeds will go directly toward the rebuilding of Le Petit Train School, a primary school damaged by the 7.0 earthquake that struck Haiti in January.
The purpose of the benefit is to raise money to help rebuild Le Petit Train and raise awareness about the earthquake and the recovery process for the country, according to Tanya Aubin, secretary of the event.
“We don’t want the event to be somber, more like a celebration of Haiti,” Aubin said. “We want to make people aware of the earthquake, the culture, the traditions, the education and people of Haiti.”
According to Aubin, Gina Vella, a Haitian earthquake survivor, will speak at the event. Vella has traveled from Haiti to attend the benefit, Aubin said.
Vella, who knows the school and its faculty, will talk about her experiences with the school before and after the earthquake. Aubin said her speech will focus on the impact of the earthquake and the need for recovery.
The event will also include poetry readings, dance performances, a dinner catered by Dominico’s Pizza and a silent auction for art made by CSULB students and local artists.
The French Club, the Geography department, and the Romance, German, Russian Languages and Literature (RGRLL) department is also sponsoring the event.
“A Night for Haiti” will include pictures of the country’s destruction from the earthquake and information on the country and its people. Attendees will also be able to write letters to the children of the school.
The goal is to raise around $3,000, Aubin said. With the help of donations throughout the year, International Studies Student Association and the Le Petit Train school hope to complete rebuilding by September.
According to Aubin, this is the student association’s first major fundraising event. However, she said they hope to put on fundraising benefits at least once a semester.
“We focus on events around the world,” Aubin said. “We do our part by donating our money to a great cause … we know they need an extraordinary amount of help.”
According to Aubin, the student association has been planning “A Night for Haiti” since February, weeks after the earthquake struck. The club’s members saw the destruction in Haiti, and it immediately wanted to help the nation and get the community involved as well.
The club wants to continue to help Haiti after the event by sending members to help rebuild the island nation, Aubin said.
“We want to offer an alternative spring break,” Aubin said. “We are in the works of trying to go to Haiti and help rebuild the school.”
Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster told the club that he will come to the event and show his support.
“We think it is important to establish a connection with Long Beach and Haiti,” Aubin said.
Ticket prices for the event are $10 for CSULB students and $20 for non-students and faculty.
Pre-sale tickets are available in the third floor office of the McIntosh building and the RGRLL department in the Academic Services building. Tickets will also be available at the door.
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