Alpha is the world’s oldest collegiate fraternity of black men, and the first integrated collegiate fraternal organization in the U.S. It has scores of Haitian-born members and Haitian descendants among the nearly 200,000 men initiated into Alpha since its founding in 1906.

Upon learning of the catastrophe last January, fraternity members across the U.S. began collecting funds, and supplies. A delegation of brothers, including health and medical professionals, educators and social scientists, journeyed to Haiti on a humanitarian mission.

The delegation, led by fraternity (international) General President Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr., an Atlanta college administrator and minister, located more than 15 families of Alpha brothers in and around Port-Au-Prince. Those family members received direct contributions of cash, food, tents, toiletries, first aid supplies and fraternal love from the men of Alpha. They also had a chance to send video messages back to their relatives in the U.S., letting them know they had survived.

During the fraternity’s annual convention, in July, in Las Vegas, delegates adopted a plan to renovate one of the schools in the Croix de bouquet area of Haiti. The school is slated to be renamed the Alpha Academy.

“We’ve had an architect and members of the fraternity pay a visit to the site and we have schematic designs for the renovation of the school ready to go,” said Mason. “We are pleased to announce that plans are underway for renovation to begin in March, with completion scheduled for midsummer.”

In addition to repairs, the fraternity, through contributions to its Alpha Haiti Relief Fund, is providing furniture and supplies. Along with the national relief fund, local chapters all across the U.S., in Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean are raising funds for the project.

Anyone interested in donating to the fund, please visit apa1906.net. If you would like to see the video of Alpha’s trip to Haiti, please visit www.youtube.com/apa1906network.

In the wake of a devastating earthquake that hit the island nation in January, Haiti will look toward the future Saturday with its first presidential debate — one students won’t have to find a passport to attend.

The debate will be held at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, though originally students wanted to host the event at USF.

“USF wanted us to postpone the event because they were not ready to do it at that time,” said Daniel Thelusmar, president of Heart to Heart Caribbean Ministry, Inc. and organizer of the forum.  “But we cannot postpone it due to the fact that after November it would be very difficult to get (the presidential candidates) out of Haiti. We have to do it right now … That’s why we are at (Eckerd).”

Campaigning for the office officially begins Saturday, with Election Day set for Nov. 28., he said, meaning the event could not be pushed back.

Despite providing a more convenient time for the debate, hosting the event at Eckerd College has posed different problems.

“Having the event at (Eckerd) is costing us more money,” Thelusmar said.  “It’s probably going to cost us $2,000 to $3,000 more. Also, in Tampa we have (a larger) Haitian population. It’s also (going to) affect the traveling. The candidates are going to have to go from Tampa to St. Pete and then back to Tampa.”

He said there are a total of 19 candidates, but only 10 have agreed to attend the debate.

Nine USF organizations have contributed to the planning of the debate, including the Caribbean Cultural Exchange, Phi Beta Sigma, Black Student Union, Club Creole, African Students Association and Alpha Phi Alpha, among others.

“I remember when the earthquake hit, everyone was all about Haiti,” student body President Cesar Hernandez said. “I don’t know what happened to all of those people, but now we actually have the opportunity to directly help the Haitian people and manufacture hope for an entire nation.”

The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held in Eckerd’s Fox Hall from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and will be broadcast on WMNF 88.5 FM on more than 160 stations nationally, including several in Haiti.

Three local firefighters who traveled to Haiti to help earthquake victims were recognized recently for their work.

The Portsmouth Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority honored the men May 27 as part of their “Virginia First Responders Week.”

Capt. Robert LaCroix, Lt. Todd Elliot and firefighter Richard Wells of Portsmouth Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services went to Haiti in January with Virginia Task Force 2, a regional group of emergency responders based in Virginia Beach.

The task force was deployed from Jan. 13 to Jan. 23 to do search and rescue missions in collapsed buildings, said Patrick Seigh, a battalion chief with the Virginia Beach Fire Department and program manager of the task force. Eighty three members went, he said.

The task force has an account of its time in Haiti on its website, www.vatf2.com.

On Jan. 17, five days after the earthquake struck, members freed a survivor from the rubble of a United Nations building.

From the journal:

The victim was Jens Christensen, a United Nations worker from Denmark, who managed a smile shortly after being pulled from the rubble of the collapsed U.N. headquarters building. With this rescue the team’s motivation and sprits (sic) are extremely high.

Jan. 19 was another great day, the diary said. Searchers were on their way back to base when local police officers flagged them down and led them to a home where they thought three children were trapped.

They began operations and breached their way into the structure and located three kids inside. Unfortunately one was deceased, but they did rescue and extricate two live kids from the structure.

The Delta Sigma Theta group recognized the three Portsmouth firefighters, and their chief, Don Horton, at the Lucas Professional Center. Chapter members also dropped off baked treats to fire stations to thank the rest of the department for their work.

Dave Forster, 446-2627, dave.forster@pilotonline.com

Capt. Robert LaCroix, Lt. Todd Elliot and firefighter Richard Wells of Portsmouth Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services went to Haiti in January with Virginia Task Force 2, a regional group of emergency responders based in Virginia Beach.

The Xi Iota chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, will host the Haitian Relief Rally this Friday, April 16, as one of the many acts of philanthropy attempted during their selected week of the semester.

The members of Phi Beta Sigma on Southeast’s campus have been planning for this event all semester long. Senior Corey Hawkins, president of the chapter, said he wanted to help raise money for Haiti after the earthquake so he and two other Southeast students, Shamone Mitchell and Brittany Wilson, brainstormed on the possibilities.

Hawkins said, “I wanted to do something because I didn’t think anyone else would. I was in the UC talking about it; Shamone and Brittany said they wanted to do the same so we put our heads together and took action.”

The rally will be similar to a telethon with live music and other entertainment; like a variety show according to Hawkins. The goal of the rally is to raise at least $10, 000 by the end of the semester. “If each student gives at least a dollar we can meet this,” said Hawkins.

The entire week of events has involved acts of philanthropy and giving students something out of the ordinary to attend. Thursday, April 15 “The Show,” a live showcase of musicians and poets who attend southeast, will take place at T-zone at 7:30 p.m. Senior Brandon Fulks, bass guitar player with the band said he agreed to be a part of the show because, “This is the first time Southeast has had this event and it’s time for the campus to be unified and bring people of all races and backgrounds together.” Senior Jon Poston, who will also be playing guitar with the group said, “I like these guys; they asked.”

The week’s events included a basketball game, sessions on financial literacy information and healthy skin care tips, a music showcase, the rally and on April 17, a fashion show. The fashion show will feature original pieces designed by recent Southeast graduate, Jessica Buck, who studied Business Management and Fashion Merchandising. All models are also Southeast students.

Hawkins also said there will be a clothing drive that will continue throughout the remainder of the semester. The final event for their week will be a cookout on Sunday, April 18. If you are interested in attending the events and need information, visit www.facebook.com and search Springfest 2K10 or visit the Southeast portal.

Sounds of the new Madden NFL 10 video game mixed with the aroma of free food provided by Bucetto’s Pizza & Pasta Restaurant  on Thursday at the Informatics East building as students came to compete in the 2010 Haiti Relief Videogame Tournament.

Iota Phi Theta fraternity and EA Games brand representative and junior Latif Alam watched as attendees competed against each other in hopes of winning a cash prize and a copy of the new Madden game.

T-shirts were liberally handed out as guests enjoyed pizza and cherry cokes while watching their peers try their luck at the Madden competition.

Freshman Evan McGowan attended the tournament and said that for only a dollar, it seemed like a good idea and that the pizza and football provided at the event were “great.”

As for the event’s charitable donation to Haiti, McGowan simply said, “they need all the help they can get.”

Attendee Derek Brown added to the sentiment by expressing his support in raising money for people in need.

Alam said the event had a good turnout and that the proceeds raised from the entry fee will assist Haiti in rebuilding its infrastructure.

“I feel like all the money will help,” said Alam. “Haiti has a chance to come out stronger.”

Tuesday, January 12, 2010…the day that changed the country of Haiti forever.

A 7.0 magnitude earthquake shook the island nation, its epicenter just ten miles from Haiti’s capital city.  The quake, coupled with the dozen or so aftershocks since then have all but destroyed parts of the country.  Millions have been displaced, tens of thousands have been killed, now it’s time to rebuild.

“It’s not up to one person to carry the weight of the world on their shoulders.  If everyone did a small part, it would help.  So I’m just doing my small part by having lunch,” said Kari L. Brown, a student at Michigan Tech.

You read correct…just by having lunch!  Joey’s Seafood and Grill in Houghton is partnering with Michigan Tech’s Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity to raise money for Haiti.

“It’s hard to do something as a small business, but it’s nice to be a part of something much bigger.  They’re doing a lot of the organization, and we’re just helping out with doing what we actually do here to help raise the funds,” said Alan Kiley, owner of Joey’s.

The fund-raiser is part of the fraternity’s “International Kappa Action Relief Effort,” abbreviated iKare.

“Achievement in every field of human endeavor is our fundamental purpose.  So we feel as though giving back–doing what we can for the community–is the best thing that a person could do,” said Perry Wilson, President of Tech’s Omicron Theta Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi.

Joey’s estimates that by the end of business Wednesday, the restaurant will have made between $5,000-$8,000.  Twenty percent of that is going to Kappa Alpha Psi…and then on to Haiti.

Since Haiti’s devastating earthquake last month, Rowan students have been trying to find the best ways to raise money for the victims. Phi Beta Sigma did their part by throwing one of the best parties our Student Center has ever seen this past Tuesday night.

The night started off with a speech by a Haitian student who was deeply affected by the tragedy that hit the small island nation. His speech was then punctuated with a rousing rendition of the Destiny’s Child song “Stand Up for Love.”

At first, the DJs started out by playing upbeat music that felt awkward with the lights still on. Student center workers recognized the problem, rectified it and the party started to begin.

With Haitian flags flying, the night was marked with high-tempo Latin and Haitian influenced rap, reggae and electronic dance music. The dancing was equally strong, with fast and intense break dancing as well as smooth and relaxed two-stepping resembling Tai-Chi.

While the event was hosted by the Sigmas, letters from almost every Greek organization were present. Everyone from Latin sororities to two-letter fraternities were there to have a good time and support the victims of the earthquakes.

Another amazing performance was made by Jamyra of Atlantic City, N.J., who rapped a song in an impressive soprano voice. The party had a strong pace the entire night with various open-mic performers singing over famous rap songs while their friends cheered them on.

“We didn’t have enough resources to land a better venue,” said Rowan’s Phi Beta Sigma chapter president Efeosa Iyalekhue.

Toward the end of the night, much of the feeling that was present in the beginning started to die down. The DJs did everything they could to get people moving again, from faster music to more popular rap songs in an effort to bring the mood back.

At one point, the Sigmas started circle dancing around the people in the middle who had stopped dancing. Their moves raised morale and gave the crowed the much-needed momentum until the end of the night.

“We had to pull whatever we could to get this thing going and we hope everyone will do the same for the Haitian people,” Iyalekhue said.

The University of Toledo community raised $700 to donate to Haiti through a pancake dinner fundraiser Thursday night.

The dinner took place in the dining hall of the Horton International House, from 10 p.m. until midnight and each student paid $4 to attend the midnight dinner.

The event was organized through the collective efforts of several student organizations including the student Christian group Zakuska, the Latino Student Union, Saudi Club, Muslim Student Association, African Peoples Association, Chinese Student Association, Indian Student Cultural Organization, National Pan-Hellenic Council, UT College Democrats, Student Government, Alpha Phi Alpha, Black Student Union and the Dean of Students Office.

“We wanted it just to be an opportunity for the campus to come together,” said Mindy King, a sophomore majoring in communication and a member of Zakuska who served on the planning committee for the dinner.

All of the resources for the event were donated by students and local businesses, which allowed all of the money raised to go towards the Haitians, King said.

Uncle John’s Pancake House donated enough pancakes to feed 500 people, cups were donated from Burger King and other local restaurants and student organizations donated silverware and plates.

“I’m really proud of the students for stepping up,” said Student Government President Krystal Weaver.

“It was a fun atmosphere; even the cooks were dancing,” King said.

“It was originally a Zakuska event,” said Dean Bellas, a graduate student majoring in higher education and a member of the dinner planning committee.

Bellas, who has traveled to Haiti twice, said he worked hard in collaboration with the other members on the planning committee, running weekly meetings, delegating tasks, and helping to coordinate the efforts of everyone involved.

When Zakuska took the idea to the Dean of Students Office and held informational meetings to organize the dinner over 30 different student organizations expressed interest in the fundraiser, Bellas said.

The death toll of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that shook Haiti on Jan. 12 is roughly 230,000 with more bodies remaining uncounted, according to the Associated Press.

“After the earthquake, a lot of students wanted to know what they could do to help,” said Interim Dean of Students Michele Martinez.

The dinner also included paper hearts that students could buy for $1, which will be displayed on the doors of students who donated to show they “have a heart for Haiti,” Martinez said.

The students expected a turnout of about 500 people, but only a little over 100 were in attendance, according to King.

Bellas said the low attendance may have been caused by other events happening on campus at the same time as the dinner, rather than students not wanting to donate.

“Unfortunately there was another food event going on at the same time in the Greek community,” Bellas said.

All the money raised at the dinner will be donated to the Children of Promise International Orphanage in Leogane, Haiti, an orphanage the members of Zakuska visited just days before the earthquake.

There have been a variety of Haiti support events happening across campus including the Muslim Student Association soccer tournament, which raised $154 for the victims of the earthquake, according to Martinez.

“When we want to come together as a university to do some good we are definitely able to do that,” Martinez said.

Phi Beta Sigma, Inc., raised $500 and gathered 10 boxes of clothing and food for Haiti relief during a fundraiser Wednesday afternoon on the Pedestrian Mall. According to Phi Beta Sigma president Jaymien Kelly, around 300 people came out to the event and an estimated 150 people donated clothing, food and money for the cause. Kelly expressed why hosting the fundraiser was significant to their organization as well as why other organizations and students should continue to help the victims of Haiti.

“As members of a Greek organization and NPHC [National Pan-Hellenic Council], we should be the first ones willing to help out our own people,” Kelly said. “Not only do we have a member of our fraternity who is of Haitian decent, we saw fit within ourselves that we needed to do something within our organization to get it out there that people need to help those [victims] out.” Kelly also explained that the Haiti Relief Clothing and Canned Food Drive fundraiser was the first of other planned fundraisers to come.

In addition to Wednesday’s fundraiser, the fraternity has been selling Papa John’s fundraising cards, from which 30 percent of the proceeds will go to the victims of Haiti. A car wash is also scheduled for this Saturday, from which 20 percent of its proceeds would benefit victims. The car washing fundraiser will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Arby’s parking lot on St. Augustine Road.

According to Kelly, Phi Beta Sigma has set a goal to raise at least $2000 to help out earthquake victims in Haiti. If you would like more information about any of the Phi Beta Sigma, Inc. fundraisers, you can contact any member of the fraternity.

About 13 Phi Beta Sigma brothers organized a food and clothing charity near VSU’s West Hall.

In less than an hour, they collected five boxes of goods to send to folks on the island.

And cash donations were accepted on behalf of the American Red Cross.

“Our motto is ‘culture for service, service for humanity’”, said Jaymien Kelly, president of VSU’s Phi Beta Sigma fraternity. “So we’re able to put our best foot forward to help more victims out in Haiti who have been affected by the earthquakes; so we can show that we care.”

Donations will be delivered to West Hill Church of Christ by Friday.