Recently, representatives of WVU Tech and Bridgemont Community and Technical College student groups presented Roseann Berry, Executive Director of the Fayette-Nicholas County Chapter of the American Red Cross, with donations totaling over $1,000 in support of Haitian earthquake relief efforts.
“I love working with WVU Tech and its students. I want to thank them for contacting the Red Cross and working so hard to raise this generous and heartfelt gift. I understand that these fundraising efforts were student led. All monies will go directly in support of the Haitian relief efforts,” said Berry.
Many Tech students reacted strongly to images of the devastating earthquake in Haiti and wanted to do something to help. Led by the Student Government Association, members of various campus organizations came up with a variety of ways to raise funds.
Students from WVU Tech’s Biological Association, Alpha Pi Omega, the women’s soccer team, and Bridgemont Community and Technological College, sold ribbons at various campus locations and collected donations at Tech and local community basketball games. The Tech Greek Council and the Student Activities Office sponsored a dance for Haitian relief.
“I was deeply touched by the concern our students expressed for the people of Haiti and their determination to do something to help,” states Dr. Deb Beutler, professor and advisor of the
Biological Association. “Esther Plymale came up with the idea of selling ribbons and she and Danielle Abbott and Bailey Scherbak organized many of our collection sites.”
WVU Tech’s Dean of Students, Richard Carpinelli, adds, “Out students displayed leadership and great compassion for others in need and took meaningful action. Through their efforts they demonstrated that WVU Tech students care and take action when help is needed.”
The Greek Council and the Student Activities Office were pleased to raise almost $300 for the Red Cross Haitian relief fund. Greek Council representatives on hand for the presentation ceremony were Clark Ford, Katie Coblentz, Garrett Goosman, and Becca Maynard, as well as Jacob Curnutte, President of WVU Tech’s Student Government Association and Megan Thomas from Bridgemont CTC.
For additional information on how to support the American Red Cross efforts for Haitian relief, please contact the Fayette-Nicholas Chapter of the American Red Cross at 304-469-4636 or visit http://www.fnwvredcross.org.