January 26, 2010 - “When Ashley Rankin ’09 walked into my office to discuss hunger relief for Haiti, I was prepared to give her some fundraising ideas,” Vice President for Student Affairs Gerald Peoples, Ph.D. recalls. “But she did not need my ideas; the young lady came equipped with a proposal, entitled the Power of One. Her generosity and desire to assist those in need miles away moved me to action.”
In April 2008, the students, faculty and staff under Ashley’s leadership donated $2,500 to Friends of the World Food Program, a non-profit, hunger relief organization. The amount fed five classrooms of Haitian children one nutritious meal a day for an entire year. “My mother shared an article from the Denver Post with me about the children being so hungry that they were eating mud pies,” says Ashley. “I remember playing with mud pies, but can’t stomach the idea of having to eat just one. I knew I needed to do something and my belief in the ability of one person, organization or institution to positively impact a community inspired me to help.”
Ashley graduated from Alcorn State in May and is studying biotechnology at Pennsylvania State University. She is deeply saddened by the January 12 earthquake, which is estimated to have killed over 200,000 people and the massive devastation facing Haiti in its aftermath. “Alcorn is connected to Haiti, we will provide relief to assist the people of Haiti,” says Ashley.
Dr. Peoples feels the same way and seeks to identify those students, faculty, staff and alumni from Haiti. “The Office of Student Affairs encourages members of the Alcorn community to come forward if they have families in the affected areas,” Dr. Peoples says. “Your Alcorn family is here for you.”
A host of responsiveness activities have occurred at Alcorn since the devastating earthquake. This week (January 25th through 28th) is Haiti week and Delta Epsilon Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has campus-wide collaborative efforts planned with all proceeds going directly to Haiti for relief efforts.
The week kicked off with the chapter selling “Hope for Haiti” stickers with the slogan, “One person can’t do everything but every person can do something.” The stickers granted students access to a dance that evening. “Food for thought” is the theme for Tuesday’s Fish Fry, and on Wednesday the student body will be “trotting for the cause”, walking around campus promoting awareness and collecting donations. The activities will conclude on Thursday with a candlelight vigil at the Oakland Memorial Chapel and the Delta Epsilon Chapter will give a full report of proceeds raised for Haiti.
“The compassion and generosity of the Alcorn community is just one of the many reasons, I am proud to be an Alcornite,” says senior and immediate past president of Delta Epsilon Chapter Jalessa Wright.
You too, can help; contact the Office of Student Affairs at 601.877.6380. “We can be that small beacon of hope for Haiti. Together, we can make a real difference,” says Dr. Peoples. Ashley and Jalessa wholeheartedly agree.
Haiti donations can also be made to Friends of the World Food Program, www.friendsofwfp.org or by phone 1-866-929-1694.