Page 7 - Alcorn - The University Magazine: Spring, 2010
P. 7
THE POWER OF ONE:
ALCORN RESPONDS TO HAITI
Purple & Gold
“When Ashley Rankin ’09 walked into my office to discuss hunger relief for Haiti, I was prepared to give her some fund- raising ideas,” Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Gerald Peoples recalls. “But she did not need my ideas; the young lady came equipped with a proposal entitled ‘ e Power of One.’ Her generosity and desire to assist those in need miles away moved me to action.”
In April 2008, under Ashley’s leadership, the students, fac- ulty and staff donated $2,500 to Friends of the World Food Program, a non-profit hunger relief organization. e amount fed five classrooms of Haitian children one nutritious meal a day for an entire year. “My mother shared an article from the Denver Post with me about the children being so hungry that they were eating mud pies,” says Ashley. “I remember playing with mud pies but can’t stomach the idea of having to eat one. I knew I needed to do something, and my belief in the ability of one person, organization or institution to positively impact a community inspired me to help.”
Ashley graduated from Alcorn State in May and is studying biotechnology at Pennsylvania State University. She is deeply saddened by the January 12th earthquake, which is estimated to have killed over 200,000 people and the massive devastation facing Haiti in its aftermath. “Alcorn is connected to Haiti. We will provide relief to assist the people of Haiti,” says Ashley.
Dr. Peoples feels the same way and seeks to identify Haitian students, faculty, staff and alumni. “ e Office of Student Af- fairs encourages members of the Alcorn community to come forward if they have families in the affected areas,” Dr. Peoples says. “Your Alcorn family is here for you.”
A host of responsiveness activities have occurred at Alcorn since the devastating earthquake. e week of January 25 – 28 was designated “Haiti Week” on campus, and the Delta Epsilon chapter of the Delta Sigma eta Sorority, Inc., held campus-
wide collaborative events. All proceeds went directly to Haiti for relief efforts.
e chapter kicked off the week by selling Hope for Haiti stickers with the slogan “One person can’t do everything, but ev- ery person can do something.” e stickers granted students ac- cess to a dance Sunday evening, January 24. “Food for ought” was the theme for Tuesday’s fish-fry benefit. On Wednesday, the student body went “trotting for the cause,” walking around cam- pus to promote awareness of the disaster in Haiti and collecting donations. e activities concluded on ursday with a candle- light vigil at the Oakland Memorial Chapel.
“ e compassion and generosity of the Alcorn community is just one of the many reasons I am proud to be an Alcornite,” says senior Jalessa Wright, who serves as immediate past president of the Delta Epsilon chapter of the Delta Sigma eta Sorority, Inc.
You too, can help: contact the Office of Student Affairs at 601.877.6380. “We can be that small beacon of hope for Haiti. Together, we can make a real difference,” says Dr. Peoples. Ashley and Jalessa wholeheartedly agree.
Haiti donations can also be made through the Friends of the World Food Program. Visit www.friendsofwfp.org or call 1.866.929.1694.
How You Can Help
To help Alcorn support relief efforts in Haiti, contact the Office of Student Affairs at ..
To support relief efforts through the Friends of the World Food Program, visit www.friendsofwfp.org or call ...
5 I spring 2010
