Second annual 'Night for Haiti' benefit at Mandel Center Saturday

Semi-formal event features music, hors d'oeuvres and a silent auction

Photo/Napoleon Lherisson '11

Children at ETE Camp in Hinche, Haiti, last summer.

The Brandeis Haiti Initiative will host its second annual charity benefit and silent auction, "A Night for Haiti," at 5 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at the Mandel Center for the Humanities.

The semiformal event on the Mandel outdoor patio will feature musical entertainment as well as hors d'oeuvres, desserts and a silent auction.  Student tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door.  All other tickets are $15.

Last year, BHI raised more than $30,000 for victims of the earthquake that devastated Haiti on January 12, 2010.  Its efforts continued this year with a wide range of events including a poetry reading, a panel on international aid and justice in Haiti, a student date auction and fundraiser and Hoops for Haiti, a students versus faculty basketball game.

“We hope Saturday’s event will celebrate all the support the Brandeis community has given to the people of Haiti, as well as provide foundations to extend that support in the future,” said Haiti initiative co-president Jon Ostrowsky ’13.  “The fact that this initiative has grown in its second year is because of the strong commitment from both students and faculty to reach out and help those in need.”

Proceeds from the fundraiser will be donated to the ETE (Empowering Through Education) Camp, Partners in Health and Hope for Haiti.

Shaina Gilbert '10 founded ETE Camp, a free summer day camp for children in Hinche, Haiti.  Last year, following the earthquake, she joined with Nate Rosenblum ‘10 to create the Brandeis Haiti Relief Effort, the organization that became BHI.

"What BHI has done at Brandeis is a direct result of the leadership and extraordinary character that Nate and Shaina bring to the Brandeis community," Ostrowsky said.  "They are two students -- and now alumni -- who not only help serve their community, but inspire others to as well.  They represent the absolute best of Brandeis."

Next year, BHI will host similar fundraisers and more educational programs about the current health, educational and political crises that plague Haiti.

"Through education, service and charitable giving, BHI embodies a core university value — using our knowledge to transform our school, our community and eventually our world," said co-president Napoleon Lherisson '11.  "We hope students can celebrate their work on Saturday, but also be reminded of how much more needs to be done."