UA News

The campus community is asked to donate money and raffle prizes.

Two weeks after a deadly earthquake hit Haiti, the country continues to need significant aid. Members of the University of Arizona community are invited to come together to contribute to Haiti relief efforts during an on-campus benefit lunch on Monday.

The Cats and World Care for Haiti Relief Benefit Lunch, which is open to the public, will be held at 12 p.m. in the Student Union Memorial Center Grand Ballroom. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. The event is being coordinated by Sheri Hill, executive assistant in the Office of the President, and Hassan Hijazi, director of external affairs for the UA's Biosphere 2, in collaboration with World Care, a Tucson-based international humanitarian aid organization.

Since the magnitude 7 quake hit on Jan. 12, Haitian authorities have said that more 150,000 have people died as a result of the disaster, with the toll continuing to rise. 

"It's still not too late. There are things we can do to help. This will really show the spirit of the University of Arizona and how we're willing to help," Hijazi said.

Tickets for the lunch are $10 in advance or $12 at the door. Each lunch ticket includes a complimentary raffle ticket. Additional raffle tickets will be available at the event for $1.

Those who are unable to attend the lunch but would still like to make a donation can do so by delivering cash or a check made out to World Care (with "Cats for Haiti Relief" written in the memo section) to the seventh floor of the Administration building on campus. Ask for Hill.

With hard economic times affecting the University, employees are asked to give what they can. "We recognize that every little bit helps," Hill said.

Half of lunch ticket costs will go toward covering the price of the meal, taxes and room rental for the event, while the remainder will go to World Care to help pay for the transport of donated supplies to Haiti, Hill said.

The UA hosted a similar event in 2005 to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina, Hijazi said.

Several prizes have been donated for the World Care raffle.  Individuals are asked to consider donating raffle prizes for the event. Anyone interested in donating a raffle prize should contact Hill at 621-5288 or sherih@email.arizona.edu.

A number of speakers are scheduled during the luncheon, including four Haitian UA students whose families were affected by the quake. Other speakers include Provost Meredith Hay, Vice President for Student Affairs Melissa Vito, Arizona women's basketball coach Niya Butts and Associated Students of the University of Arizona President Chris Nagata. Jacqueline Mok, UA President Robert N. Shelton's vice president and chief of staff, will read a letter from Shelton, who is scheduled to be out of the country the day of the event, Hill said. (Read Shelton's Jan. 15 letter to the campus community regarding Haiti.)

Tables will be set up at the lunch to recognize relief efforts by other University departments and organizations, Hill said. Campus units that wish to showcase the work they've done – with a poster, PowerPoint presentation or other display – should contact Hill as soon as possible.

Departments and organizations that have contributed to relief efforts thus far include the Office of International Student Programs and Services, the Black Graduate Student Association, the UA chapter of Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority, the African Student Association, African Americanas in the Life Sciences and others.

Tickets to Monday's benefit lunch are available at the following campus locations:

• Student Union Information Desk
• UApresents Box Office
• Biosphere 2 Office, Room 526 of the Marshall Building
• President's Office, Room 712 of the Administration Building