BY BECCA SANDAGER
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Approximately $500 was raised at the Hope For Haiti carnival on Thursday, Feb. 25, in the gameroom of the Michael H. Toner Student Center.
Hosted by the Volunteer Mentors, the carnival raised funds that will be given to the American Red Cross and Saint Mary’s University Haitian student Michelet Jean Charles and his family.
“I have been amazed to see how SMU has been supportive to Haiti, and to me in particular, in the midst of this tragedy,” said Jean Charles in an e-mail.
Partaking in the carnival were 11 different SMU clubs and organizations, and two other campus groups made donations. Participating clubs and organizations had their own booths that offered games including a cake walk, drunk goggles, root-beer flippy cup, a ring toss and Haitian history jeopardy.
“I was thrilled to be at the event to see how everyone was happy to play the games (and) donate in order to make the event successful,” Jean Charles said.
Lasallian Collegians was awarded a pizza party for raising the most money—roughly $84 — at its plinko booth. The event also included a presentation from Jean Charles, who spoke about his plans for returning to Haiti and lead a question-and-answer session.
“By being asked to talk at the event, I felt that I was really part of the event,” Jean Charles said. “It was organized to help me and Haiti, but not without me.”
Jean Charles told those at the event that his family is safe and doing well.
“I did not really know whether SMU would stand strongly with me and with Haiti in this tragedy, but now I know that I have a strong adoptive family, SMU, in Winona,” Jean Charles said.
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