UPEI Students Raise $1,011 for Red Afghan Relief Fund, Finally

by Erin FAGAN

Cross

The organizers behind Saturday night’s successful Afghan Relief Fund Concert were scheduled to. meet with P.E.I.’s Canadian Red Cross Manager of Fund Development, Wally Morrison, at twelve o’clock on Monday, March 11.

Twelve minutes before twelve o’clock, the group (UPEI students Sobia Ali, Stuart Neatby, Jennifer Galle, and George Marshall) realized that they were only about thirty dol- lars away from having a $1,000 dona- tion for the Red Cross.

“This is really appreciated. It’s people like you who do these things.”

-Wally Morrison

Taking up the donation buck- et, the students held a spontaneous campaign drive in the English, Economics, and Political Studies areas of the Main Building, striving to reach that coveted $1,000 mark.

In fact, they exceeded their expectations. Within less than ten minutes, thanks to the generosity of those who donated spare change and last-minute checks, the group achieved $33.54.

At twelve o’clock, the group presented Morrison with a grand total of $1,011 for the relief efforts in Afghanistan.

The concert itself, held in the upper level of the Barn, attracted approximately 150 people. Organizers Ali and Neatby expressed pleasant surprise at the strong turn-out.

“(The turn-out] was_ better than we expected,” noted Ali. Both Neatby and Ali were particularly impressed by an early and consistent attendance throughout the duration of the concert.

Morrison, speaking on behalf

of the Prince Edward Island Region

Canadian Red. Cross, was also enthused by the campaign’s success. “This is really appreciated,” he added, “It’s people like you who do these things.” Morrison explained that the

Port Citizen Pete.

proceeds will go first to the Canadian Red Cross national office, and will then be sent to the local Afghanistan centre. Under the current management of a “Swiss gentleman,” the money raised “goes to purchase whatever is needed.”

“It’s going to be going on for a long time.” -Wally Morrison

“Food is one of the outstand- ing problems, along with clothing due to the weather,” he said, adding that there is a current emphasis on improv- ing sanitation. Morrison also explained that “[the Red Cross] buy everything as locally as they can” in order to support the regional economy.

‘ne = need" for “relief “in Afghanistan continues to be a pressing issue within the Canadian Red Cross, Morrison continued.

“lhe situation hasn’t improved at all. If anything, it has got- ten worse.”

“The fundraising has been

slow in North America,” he added, cit- ing that $3.2 million has been donated in Canada so far ($29,000 of this on P.E.I.) In contrast, within two months, $17 million was donated by Canadians toward the WTC disaster relief fund. As a result, the Canadian Red Cross will be increasing their efforts to reach a $20 million dollar goal for relief to Afghanistan, Morrison said. “It’s going to be going on for a long time,” Morrison said, in refer- ence to the ongoing program. Incidentally, he added, the Red Cross has been working in Afghanistan for sixteen years. “It always has to be some major catastrophe before it opens peo- ple’s eyes.”

“The fundraising has been slow in

North America.” -Wally Morrison

Another project may be undertaken by the group in the spring as a part of their ongoing concern for relief to Afghanistan.

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