Story by Merge staff

Various places on campus have been taking donations for Haitian victims. (Photo by Chris Mortenson)

As worldwide contributions to support survivors of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that has killed more than 170,000 people in Haiti continue, students of New Mexico State University have a variety of opportunities to donate their time and help.

According to the ROJO Apparel fan site, the Corbett Center Outdoor Stage will hold an event called “Harmonies Helping Haiti” Monday, Feb. 15. Participants can purchase shirts for $10.  Proceeds will go to the Global Aid Network. The shirts are also available at rojoapparel.com.  After the event, local bands will perform at Hurricane Alley, located at 1490 Missouri Ave., for people ages 21 and older.

NMSU campus ministries such as Wesley and CRU have organized events to help raise money and supplies.

Donate a health kit

The contents of a health kit that the NMSU Campus Ministries will be collecting until Feb. 14.

Wesley is collecting health kits to be sent to the United Methodist Committee of Relief for packing and disbursement. Wesley will collect supplies until Feb. 14. The health kit should include:

• 1 hand towel (15″ x 25″ up to 17″ x 27″, no kitchen towels)
• 1 washcloth
• 1 comb (large and sturdy, not pocket-sized)
• 1 nail file or fingernail clippers (no emery boards or toenail clippers)
• 1 bath-size bar of soap (3 oz. and up)
• 1 toothbrush (single brushes only in original wrapper, No child-size brushes)
• 6 adhesive plastic strip sterile bandages

Wesley Director Jan Archey can be reached at 575-640-6185 for drop-off times.

CRU raised approximately $240 Tuesday, Jan. 19, when it arranged a table outside of Corbett Center and gave out free coffee. CRU and ROJO Apparel worked together to help raise the money. Although Cru finished raising donations on campus, students can donate money at www.gainUSA.org, which is geared specifically toward Haiti at this time.

Greeks on board

NMSU Greek Life has also been doing its part in raising money for Haitian relief.  At the biannual New Member Presentation, Greeks will be asked to pay an entry fee of $2.

“It is going to the American Red Cross for the Haiti Relief Fund.  Also, Panhellenic and Intrafraternal Council will be giving donations to the fund,” Panhellenic President-Elect Shelby Beasley said.

Delta Zeta Vice President of Programming Karrie Williams has organized a donation jar for Haiti as well. The donation jar is located at the Delta Zeta House at 1600 E. University Ave. All the proceeds will go to UNICEF.

“I googled UNICEF and learned it gave the donated money to kids, so I picked them,” Williams said.

Many national organizations are accepting monetary donations for Haitian relief online and by phone. Such organizational Web sites include www.redcross.org, www.unicef.org and www.clintonbushhaitifund.org.

However, anyone donating funds to the cause via the Internet should use caution.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Web site, past tragedies and natural disasters have prompted people to solicit contributions criminally. The FBI recommends donors use a critical eye and exercise diligence when donating to the cause online. The FBI also cautions donors to be wary of unsolicited incoming e-mails and individuals claiming to be survivors.

– Carolyn Wright, Chris Mortenson, Vicky Molinar, Amanda Crowe, Alyssa Candelaria, Leslie Highsmith and Heather Lang contributed to this story.