Nic Nall, music industry sophomore, wanted to do more than talk about Haiti. He wanted to see change. He wanted to see a movement at Loyola.
Therefore he decided to organize “Hope for Haiti,” a benefit concert to raise funds for Haiti, which will begin Friday, March 12 in the Peace Quad at 4 p.m. It is not to be confused with the concert and dance series of the same name, taking place Friday, Feb. 26.
“Admission is free. We’re charging for beer, an Abita Amber keg and for food,” said Nall, Posters and pre-sale t-shirts will also be sold.
Nall wants to see more active efforts at Loyola to show support and raise funds for Haiti.
“I’m doing this because I think that everyone should be really involved in helping Haiti out,” said Nall. He said that the country was so active in helping New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina that the city should show the same efforts towards Haiti.
Nall said that “having people, knowing people were there, caring about people while it was going on,” was the most important thing during Katrina.
As a new SGA senator of the College of Music and Fine Arts, Nall is making the “Hope for Haiti” benefit concert one of his initiatives. He said that he will ask SGA for money from their reserves fund. If the funds are not approved, Nall plans to find sponsorship from local businesses.
The money collected from the poster sales, t-shirts and food at the concert will be donated to Partners In Health, a charity organization based on providing medical care and social services for Haiti. The organization was co-founded by Paul Farmer, a doctor featured in the book “Mountains Beyond Mountains,” by Tracy Kidder.
Nall said that a concert was the easiest way for college students to give back to Haiti. Since it is free, awareness increases, but the option of donations is present.
“I want other organizations to show up at the event and have a booth to show what they’re doing for Haiti,” said Nall. He said he hoped for organizations like Black Student Union and Loyola University Community Action Program to pledge their participation.
The Loyola Hope for Haiti Task Force, headed by Kurt Bindewald, director of University Ministry and Robert Reed, assistant vice president of Student Affairs, held meetings for organizations that wished to get involved in Haiti relief efforts.
All musicians performing are Loyola students. Fuzzy and the Shopping Carts, Rabbit, Madelyn Gelpi solo act, TBD, Lesley Lucas from Media Nox and High in One Eye are among the bands performing.
Gelpi, a sociology sophomore, said that she is excited to sing in the concert. She thinks it is an important event for students to attend and serves as an outlet of expression during Haiti’s struggle.
“Music is a great way to express community and the desire to be there for one another in times of desperation,” she said.
There are three other events planned to help fund relief efforts for Haiti, including a Loyola Symphony concert Friday, Feb. 26 in Roussel Hall. More information on the concert and other events can be found on Loyola’s Hope for Haiti online blog at http://blogs.loyno.edu/haiti.
Ashley Stevens can be reached at [email protected]
