Please consider helping the people of Haiti through Pellissippi State Community College's new program, "Operation Hearts for Haiti." Small donations can make a big difference for the country, which is struggling to recover from the devastation of an earthquake last month.
Operation Hearts for Haiti
Pellissippi State Community College is asking students, faculty, staff and friends to show their support of the people of Haiti by joining together to offer aid to the earthquake victims during their time of need. To organize this effort, Student Life and Recreation and the college's many student organizations have established a program called "Operation Hearts for Haiti." This program will continue throughout the year, supporting the Haitian people as they continue to recover from the tragedy.
Opportunities to Help
There are many ways you can help through "Operation Hearts for Haiti." One way to participate is to drop your change into collection cans that are now located in the cafeteria and bookstore checkout lines, the Student Life and Recreation office (GN 140) and in the Cashier's office at the Blount County, Division Street and Magnolia Avenue campuses. Collection cans will also be present at every Student Life and Recreation event.
Upcoming events can be found at http://www.pstcc.edu/departments/student_life/calendar. Some events that have been specifically created as fundraisers are Hearts 4 Haiti Valentines, February 11-12, sponsored by TnCIS; Heart Run for Haiti, April 17, 9 a.m.; and a Student Talent Showcase, April 24, 6-10 p.m. More details here. (In the event of rain, the Student Talent Showcase will be held in the Clayton Performing Arts Center.)
You are also encouraged to make a donation directly to the nonprofit of your choice, if that is your preference. All money collected at the college will be given to the American Red Cross, Partners in Health and Remote Area Medical—three organizations with an established presence in aiding Haiti.
To donate directly to the American Red Cross:
- Text "Haiti" to 90999. Ten dollars will be added to your cell phone bill.
- Visit www.redcross.org.
- Call 1-800-Red-Cross.
Be specific about your contribution going to Haiti. For every one dollar collected, 91 cents goes to Haiti.
To donate to Partners in Health:
Go to https://donate.pih.org.
Partners in Health, you may remember, is the organization detailed in the college's 2006-07 Common Book, Mountains Beyond Mountains.
Edward Francisco, Pellissippi State's writer in residence, reminds us of Dr. Paul Farmer's work depicted in this book.
To give to Remote Area Medical:
Visit http://www.ramusa.org.
Remote Area Medical is a locally based non-profit group founded by Stan Brock that provides free health care and other assistance to people in remote areas of the U.S. and the world.
Remember, no contribution is considered too small. The organizers of "Operation Hearts for Haiti" challenge you to give up one soda per day and donate the money for you would have spent on the sodas to the cause. This can add up, because the average American consumes 1.75 cans of soda a day, totaling 52.5 each month!
Thank You
Thank you in advance for lending your support and for making a difference.
We invite you to view this brief presentation and invite faculty to share it with their classes.