What started as a class project for students in the introduction to peace studies class has become something more as the students rallied together to raise money for Haiti earthquake victims.
The 7.0 magnitude earthquake, which struck Tuesday, killed thousands and left thousands more displaced, according to the Mercy Corps Haiti relief Web site.
Students in Gerald Waite's IP101 class have joined Mercy Corps and Doctors Without Borders to help raise money for the victims of the earthquake.
"We were given the chance to help and we were compelled to do it," Mercy Corps member Alexandra Maciel said.
The students' goal was to raise $2000 by Jan. 21 by accepting donations at the Scramble Light on Friday and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They also are accepting online donations at the Mercy Corps Web site.
"We are finding that people don't carry cash anymore, but the Web site works very well," senior sociology major Jason Bannon said.
Waite said he did not expect his class to become so involved with the project.
"I was really surprised with what they've accomplished here," he said. "My assistants and I were not sure if the students would actually take part in this but when presented the opportunity, they really have taken it and ran."
The Mercy Corps students said they also are planning on being at various events this weekend.
"We hope to be at Late Nite, Friday night Filmworks and maybe even the [basketball] game on Sunday," said Deirdre Nolan, also with the Mercy Corps.
She said that on the first day of donations, the group raised $570.
Bannon was pleased with the results of the efforts so far.
"People have been very generous, more so than I expected," he said.
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