PGCC Reaches Out to Victims of Haiti Disaster

By Marquis Morris

Not long after devastating earthquakes rocked the island nation of Haiti on January 12, 2010, Prince George’s Community College began looking for ways to help the nearly four dozen Haitian students attending school here.
PGCC put together a team of faculty, staff, and students to develop a school-wide effort to help the people of this distraught nation. The earthquakes caused as many as 230,000 deaths, 300,000 injuries and left an estimated 1,000,000 people homeless in Haiti.

PGCC Vice President for Student services Dr. Tyjaun A. Lee said the college has provided financial and personal support to the 43 Haitian students affected by this tragedy. The PGCC effort is a three phase program to provide necessities for those living on the island as well as financial or emotional support to help students remain in school.

Phase 1 included a 45-60 day monetary donation drive that started only eight days after the earthquake. Donations are being raised through the Heart for Haiti Drive and from proceeds from the upcoming Spring Formal. Phase 2 or “Hope for Haiti Kids” will be from March 1st – April 15th and will be responsible for the collection of hygienic items including deodorant, soap, and feminine products, etc. to be sent to the Haitian Embassy. The final phase of this Haiti relief effort will be the collection of books and baby items to be sent to Haiti. The Nursing Department and Hospitality Club will help collect these important resources. For more information on Haiti relief efforts, call the Office of College Life Services at 301-322-0853.