Campus community has raised more than $4,500 so far.

In the first three weeks of classes, more than $4,500 has been raised in collections at Masses in the campus chapel; by donations sent to the campus by the regional community and by a variety of student activities. As the semester moves forward, additional events are being planned.

A significant portion of the proceeds will be donated to the purchase of large tents to provide housing for displaced Haitians, a need identified by Haitian native Andre Pascal, the husband of Maureen Romanow Pascal, DPT, NCS, an associate professor of physical therapy at MU. Andre just returned from a trip to Haiti to help his family there. He plans a return visit and will take the tents with him.

Members of Misericordia’s Student Nurses’ Association of Pennsylvania donated money from their chapter to help the Pascal family in Haiti. The money was raised during an apparel sale the students held in the fall.

The Student Athlete Advisory Committee raised more than $800 at the men’s and women’s home basketball games on Sat., Jan 23. The admission fee was waved, and donations were collected at the door. Proceeds from the student-run concession stand were also added to the donation.

The Student Government Association and Campus Ministry representatives collected monetary donations during lunch hours on Feb. 1 through Feb. 5. in a “Hands for Haiti” project. Donor’s names were displayed on handprints that were hung on the walls of the Banks Student Life Center to show their support.

Misericordia University also has planned several upcoming events to benefit Haiti. The Residence Hall Association is planning a T-shirt sale and in connection with Campus Ministry has scheduled a Super Bowl party for Sunday, Feb. 7. The party will begin at 6 p.m. and will be held in Black Top Lounge. The $3 admission fee will donated to relief efforts. Food and refreshments are being donated by Metz Food Service and Domino’s Pizza.

Cinemaddicts, the Misericordia student film club, along with students from the Misericordia Student Occupational Therapy Association (MSOTA), will host “Hats for Haiti,” a project to knit and crochet hats that will be sold to raise money for Haiti. Anyone willing to help knit or crochet is invited to attend. The event will be held Sunday, Feb. 28 in Black Top Lounge from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. A belly-dancing class will be offered later that day, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in Huntzinger Room 218, Insalaco Hall. The fee is $5 and proceeds will be donated to the relief effort. Coordinator of the project is Samantha Scalpone, resident assistant and president of MSOTA.

In addition, a student-organized raffle offering two tickets to the “Snowball” student dinner dance is underway. Tickets are available during lunch hour in the lobby of the Banks Student Life Center. Students from the Campus Ministry leadership team are also planning a talent show/open mic night on campus, at a date to be announced. Additional donations from the community are welcome. Checks can be made out to Misericordia University and delivered or mailed to the Campus Ministry Office, 301 Lake St., Dallas, PA 18612. The money collected will be divided among a number of relief efforts.

Photo Caption:

The Misericordia chapter of the Student Nurses’ Association of Pennsylvania, the Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC), Campus Ministry and Residence Hall Association are among the groups at Misericordia raising money for the Haitian relief effort. Shown seated from left: Danielle Nebzydoski, Pleasant Mount, Pa., SNAP; Megan McChesney, Bloomingburg, N.Y., SAAC; Jamie Philippi, Rome, Pa., SAAC; Lisa Witkoski, Quakertown, Pa.., Campus Ministry; Rebekah Williams, Harveys Lake, Pa., SNAP; Kristen Mitchell, AmeriCorps VISTA, coordinator of community outreach; Abby Heintzelman, Hellertown, Pa., SNAP; Rachel Roa, New Britain, Conn., Campus Ministry; and Kristen Perucca, Massapequa, N.Y., SNAP. Standing: A.J. Nudo, assistant director of Residence Life; and Michael Labagh, Elizabethtown, Pa., SAAC president.