Stony Brook University Campus Residences Raise $10,000 for Maison Fortune

After the January 12, 2010 earthquake hit Haiti, severely damaging Port-au-Prince, as well as other areas, the staff of Campus Residences at Stony Brook University was moved to action and immediately began discussing ways to raise funds to assist the children of Haiti in a meaningful way. Setting a long-term goal of $15,000, Campus Residences put together a variety of creative and unique events which raised over $2400 for the Maison Fortune Orphanage during the Spring 2010 semester.   Although it is now 21 months since the earthquake struck Haiti, the Campus Residence staff at Stony Brook University is continuing their commitment to the Maison Fortune Orphanage.  In spite of the fading news about the devastation and recovery, efforts at Fund Raising have continued.  The staff has devised a number of ways to raise funds and awareness for the children of Haiti.  Their efforts have paid off and they sent a check to the Maison Fortune Orphanage Foundation for $10,000 at the end of September 2011. 

How did they do it you might ask?  With the help of local restaurants, a portion of each bill during “Dining to Donate” went toward the effort. “Wear Jeans, Save Lives” was a program which asked employees across the division to donate $5 in exchange for the right to wear jeans to work on one particular Friday.  During Valentine’s Day season the department ran two programs: “Have a Heart” and a candy sale. The “Have a Heart” program involved a wall decorated with paper hearts the staff could purchase for the orphanage.  They also held a raffle and a donation box was set up in the office, so people could make additional donations.  Staff Members agreed to be “arrested” at work, taken to a “jail” in the Student Activities Center and stay in the jail until they could raise enough “bail money” to be released.  Finally, a basketball tournament called “Hoops for Haiti” raised additional funds.  All of these efforts raised a total of $5,000. 

The other $5,000 was raised through their annual 'tis the Season Campaign. For many years, the staff of the Department of Residential Programs has coordinated a fund-raising campaign in the residence halls through creative student-centered programs. The amount raised has grown steadily every year, and last year, through the staff sponsored programs, students raised over $20,000 for charitable organizations. This campaign takes place in October and November each year and a large amount of the funds are used during the Christmas season to buy items like toys and pajamas for children in shelters and adults in developmentally disabled residential facilities. This year, $5,000 was earmarked for Maison Fortune' Orphanage in Haiti. This significant donation will be added to the Maison Fortune Operating Fund for food and clothing for the children.

Current fund raising efforts for this semester are to raise money for airfare for a group from the school to visit the orphanage.  They will visit, read to and play with the children and in the process show the children that they are valued as individuals.  They will also do any small tasks Jean Louis might need help completing.  Bottom line is they will help to “Make a Difference”!  We offer our sincere thanks to all at Stony Brook University who helped with this successful endeavor.  A special thank you goes to Ms. Natalie Munoz, former Residence Hall Director and Dr. Laura Valente, Dean of Residential Education, Divisions of Campus Residences, Stony Brook University.