2008 Woodie Awards
Jaspers Band Together to Aid in Tsunami Relief
Deepika Mehra
Issue date: 2/23/05 Section: Features
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People from India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania were all affected by disastrous Tsunami. At devastating times like these, people from all over the world came together and offered help to the one's in need. At Manhattan College, Alumni Relations, Athletics, Campus Ministry, Social Action, Peace Studies, Residence Life and Student Activities are working together and organizing "Jasper Helping Hands for Tsunami Relief."
The Jaspers have organized following programs and dedicated a whole week of fundraising for Tsunami:
1. Be a "Helping Hand" at the Marist Game;
2. Candle Light Prayer Service;
3. Presentation: Tsunami: Challenge of Relief in Areas of Conflict and;
4. Donate your Change for Tsunami Relief.
Lois Harr, the director of Campus Ministry and Social Action said, "As Catholics and a Lasallian College, we are supposed to care about poor and vulnerable and be a helping hand for the one's in need."
The whole idea of Jasper "Helping Hands" originated from Alumni Relations who wanted to work together and raise money for Tsunami victims. One thing led to another and the whole thing ultimately blossomed into a whole week of fundraising for Tsunami.
The Campus Ministry is organized prayer vigils and a lot of students and volunteers come together as a community to pray for the benefit for the needy.
Student Activities is advertising and focusing on raising funds for Tsunami victims. Residence Life organized the "Change Program" where they are asking students to donate all their change. On Sunday, Feb. 13- Athletics Department offered a Helping Hand at the Marist Game and raised money for the Tsunami. Women's softball donated their 50% money from the raffle sales and Eureka convenient store contributed all their profits in order to help raise some money for Tsunami. So far Manhattan has raised almost $1,000. MC community is also working with the Riverdale community whose goal is to raise $50,000.
Stephen De Salvo, of Alumni Relations came up with the whole idea of raising funds for Tsunami and planned the "Jasper Helping Hands" with the other organizations on campus. Salvo said, "It is a great thing that [raising money for Tsunami Relief] was a cooperative effort and everyone was so willing and interested in helping. Also, every little piece helps. Getting together with the whole community at this point just brings out the humanity aspect of every one of us."