01.20.10 
Southeastern reaches out to Haiti earthquake victims

By Southeastern University

In light of the devastating earthquake that has annihilated the capital city of Haiti, Southeastern University students are responding to the crisis with their money and their time. All of the money collected in Southeastern's chapel services during the next few weeks will go to help some of the many Port-au-Prince victims.

In addition, from March 6 to March 13, while the university is on spring break, ten students and the university's Executive Director for Student Life, Bob Schoenherr, plan to travel to Port-au-Prince to spend a week working with an organization called Mission of Hope(www.missionofhopehaiti.org). The group had previously planned to be in Haiti during that time anyway, doing missions work such as serving in orphanages, helping with a mobile medical unit, counseling, and praying with people. With the effects of this month's devastating earthquake likely to linger well after their arrival, Schoenherr and the students realize that their mission could change, and they are now planning to serve in whatever capacity may be necessary.

Schoenherr said no funds from Southeastern University will be used for expenses in connection with their trip; he and the students will be raising funds to pay their own way. Anyone seeking to contribute to their relief effort can make checks payable to "Southeastern University" and write "Haiti" in the memo field. Mail to Southeastern University, ATTN: Student Life, 1000 Longfellow Blvd., Lakeland, FL 33801.

Independent of those efforts, Compassionate Alliance(www.compassionatealliance.org), a faith-based nonprofit organization that responds to victims of disastrous and chaotic conditions around the world, is sending 25 truckloads of food, water, and other basic necessities to Port-au-Prince. Compassionate Alliance is headed by Dr. Robert Houlihan, dean of Southeastern University's College of Christian Ministries & Religion.