East Ridge High School students start Haiti relief group

• 'Hearts for Haiti'

A group of East Ridge students have started a fundraising group to raise money for relief of victims of the 7.0 earthquake that struck the country of Haiti on Jan. 12. Staff photo by Amber Kispert.

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The earthquake in Haiti has touched a lot of people locally. And many are reaching out to the Haitians. Several students at East Ridge High School have organized a new fundraising group called “Hearts for Haiti.”

“It seemed like we’re really powerless here,” said Hearts for Haiti co-founder Shua Bhattacharya. “But, we all realized that since we’re so sad about it, we should do something.”

Bhattacharya started Hearts for Haiti with four other ERHS students — Erin Yockey, Melanie Rabina, Vincent Bedard and Joaqum Valdes.

“I’ve just been watching the news and I was really affected by it,” Rabino said.

Since Jan. 18, group members have been collecting money during sporting events, lunch periods and classrooms that will be donated to The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF.) So far, Hearts of Haiti has collected $350. The collection will continue through Jan. 29.

In addition to collection jars, Hearts for Haiti will also be selling ribbons — either silver or the tri-color Haiti flag — for $1 or $5 as a way to show support for the Haitians.

Bhattacharya said the decision to have the fundraiser be only a two-week stretch came from the fact that they are trying to raise as much money as possible as soon as possible.

“We’re really gonna push the students and touch their hearts,” she said. “We’re just counting on people to have that compassion, that heart, and realize that they’re not the only ones who matter — there are other people who need help.”

Valdes said an important component of Hearts for Haiti is that they’re not only trying to raise money, but also trying to raise awareness about what has happened in Haiti and the need that is there.

For more information about Hearts for Haiti, or to donate, you can visit the Facebook group or contact Shua Bhataacharya at :

mbhattacharya@msn.com

- Amber Kispert

Tags: daily updates, high schools, east ridge high school, hearts for haiti, education