TRI-STATE REGION — The devastation caused by the earthquake that hit Haiti last Tuesday, Jan. 12, has made an impact on those of us living in the Tri-state region. Efforts are being made to raise both awareness and money to help the victims of the quake in any way possible.
The concert
One of the biggest events in the Tri-state region is likely to be a benefit concert that is being planned for Sunday, Feb. 7, at Housatonic Valley Regional High School in Falls Village, Conn. The concert will feature David Paton and his band, which the Salisbury Rotary will sponsor. Its goal is to raise funds for the victims in Haiti; the rotary’s Inge Dunham said the money raised will go to Hopital Albert Schweitzer (HAS), located in the center of Haiti.
“Hopital Albert Schweitzer has been in Haiti for the last 60 years, and that’s an amazing feat because nothing ever lasts terribly long in Haiti,� she said. “The hospital was not affected, not devastated by the earthquake. The moment it happened though, people started flooding in for shelter and medical care, draining the hospital’s resources to its limit.�
The Rotary, which has a large contingency from New York state, especially Millerton, is “definitely looking for support and contributions,� according to Dunham, who herself has been to Haiti on numerous missions.
“I’ve seen places that are now devastated,� she said, naming government buildings and other locales in Port-au-Prince. “Some of them were the most beautiful buildings. It’s unbelievable that they’re gone. I can’t even talk about it any more. It’s very difficult.�
To make a contribution to the relief efforts in Haiti, send your donations to: the Salisbury Rotary Foundation, earmarked “HAS,� PO Box 287, Salisbury, CT 06068.
Donations
The Women’s Auxiliary of the Millerton American Legion Post 178 gathered Thursday, Jan. 14, for its regular meeting. At that time members also discussed the disaster in Haiti. All agreed that a donation should be made to the Red Cross. A check for $100 will be sent to that organization immediately.
“I was so moved watching it on TV,� auxiliary member Mariley Najdek said. “It’s just very sad.�
Najdek, who runs the Astor Head Start program in Millerton, said she was not aware of any community efforts being organized as part of a relief effort. However, some of the area’s schools have been busy planning ways to help.
School spirit
The Webutuck Central School District did not have any organized efforts as of last week, but according to Honor Society Advisor Sherry Fischer, the group was set to meet this week to discuss ways to help. Once concrete plans are made they will be shared with the public.
In Pine Plains, no events have been announced and calls to the high school were not returned before this paper’s printing deadline.
In Millbrook, things have been busy. At The Millbrook School students as well as faculty both hastily formed committees to start fundraising last week. The committees were formed from two community service groups — one that collects food and clothing on a daily basis and goes on midnight runs to New York City and Poughkeepsie to distribute those essentials to the homeless and another that works under the auspices of the school’s chaplain.
According to Communications Director Jill Kane, both groups visited the dorms last Thursday night and collected contributions from students, faculty and staff, while others did research on the best Web sites to donate to. So far, she said, the money will be donated to the Red Cross and Americares. And, she added, “I’m sure there will be more,� as students there have been regularly involved in efforts to rebuild New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, as well as Habitat for Humanity and outreach programs for the homeless in New York City and Poughkeepsie, to name a few. Kane even said there will likely be talks about students and faculty physically going down to Haiti to help out, though she hasn’t heard about that yet.
“Whether that turns out to be feasible for our students to do or not, I’m sure they will want to,� she said. “It’s the culture of the school here. We’re 78 years old now and so is our community service program; it was part of the philosophy of the school. Our motto means, ‘Not for one’s self, but for all.’ It’s really great to see it being carried out in so many different ways and that’s why I’m convinced the kids and the adults will do even more.�
“Any little bit we can do to help we will, and it doesn’t take that much work to collect donations and give it to the right organizations,� said Millbrook School senior Ama Waldschmidt. “We’re very grateful we’re not in that situation and we want to help however we can. I think everybody is very concerned.�
Meanwhile, at the public Millbrook High School, the National Honor Society was also quick to act. It had been collecting money for its activities when the earthquake hit; members immediately shifted focus and instead earmarked the funds for those who survived the disaster.
“We got together with the officers and they thought that would be a good destination for the funds,� said Honor Society Advisor Bill Blayney.
There are also other fundraisers planned in the school. One is a Feb. 5 pep rally, when three teachers will be forced to dance based upon whose jug has the most money at a certain time. There was also a dress-down day for teachers last Friday, when they paid to go casual. That event may be repeated while the school raises funds for Haiti.
While the Honor Society is leading the fundraising efforts at this time, the Interactive Club and the Model U.N. are also trying to figure out ways they can contribute. Doing so provides important life lessons to the students, according to Blayney.
“Our small communities can be very insular and it’s very easy to become immersed in our own small world when something like this comes up,� he said. “This starts discussions about living conditions and talk about the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, and I like to think it prompts them to make a reassessment of their priorities.
“I’m proud of them,� he added. “I like to think that we’re trying to help them develop their values. Obviously in the high school environment there’s not always a lot they take seriously, but they all seem to understand the gravity of the situation right off the bat. I think that we have a great group of kids here.�
At Maplebrook School in Amenia, nothing has been decided, as of yet. Lori Hale, director of development, advancement and alumni and assistant head of school, said the Leo Club, the youth organization of the Lions Club, is busy thinking of ways to fundraise for the earthquake victims. There was a meeting set for Wednesday, after this paper’s print deadline, to brainstorm ideas. Most likely, Hale said, there will be fundraisers on campus. To donate to the Leos’ efforts, specifically for the Haitian relief fund, contact Hale at 845-373-9551.
Meanwhile, at The Kildonan School, also in Amenia, the student council sponsored a dress-down day on Monday, with participants paying $5 for the pleasure of wearing something other than their normal dress code garb. The school usually has a dress-down day once weekly, but there’s not usually a fee. However, when there’s a cause in need, Kildonan students and staff rise to the occasion.
“Usually it’s near to 100-percent participation,� said Dean of Students Brian Zolet. “This time we’re doing it to raise money. The kids want to know more about it.
“I think for the most part it puts their own lives into perspective. None of us are as grateful for what we have and this puts what we have into perspective and makes things like not having an iPod or some other creature comfort seem small when these people don’t have a place to sleep,� he added. “There’s definitely something they can learn from this and apply to their own lives. And just to see them participate and be empathetic is nice and that they’re not all ‘I, me’ teenagers. They’re all better than that.�
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