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Students help Kosovo refugee relief effort By Sara MacLeod It's the thought that counts. The thought that staff and students at Holland College would put people they don't even know before themselves and do everything in their power to help them. Even if it's just by means of a barbecue or a few baby supplies. Hundreds of Holland College staff and students showed their support toward the victims of the crisi in Kosovo on April 21, gathering on the patio at Charlottetown Centre to buy a hotdog or hamburger for as much as their hearts desired. The crowd demonstrated the college's commitment to the fund-raiser by contributing $416. And that was only Charlottetown Centre's share. A total of $966 was raised between Summerside, Royalty and Charlottetown centres. Charlottetown Centre's student union president, Jeff Doucette, says he was surprised at the good turnout and the sizeable crowd the event drew. "I was totally amazed," Doucette says. "People just started coming in and we could have used six or seven barbecues. I was really impressed with the school." Doucette adds that other events held at the school have been low in attendance, but this time was different because of the goal of the fund-raiser. "It was to support a good cause," he says. "Everyone kind of gets together for things like that." And people weren't stingy with their donations, even though the student union was asking for a minimum donation of only $1. Doucette recalls that some were donating $10 just to get a hamburger or a hotdog. He says the student union would have been happy to raise just enough money to pay off what they spent on food and beverages, which came close to $100. Doucette says it was not only Holland College who took part in the fund-raiser. The Atlantic Superstore gave the student union a deal on the hamburgers and donated all of the condiments, Seamans' offered a deal on pop and Ben's did the same with hamburger and hotdog buns. Parties Galore gave the college a big discount on barbecue rentals. To add to this generosity, the student union decided to send plastic containers (known as baby bundles) to each classroom in Charlotetown Centre to encourage each class to donate baby supplies. Classes donated items such as blankets, petroleum jelly and other baby essentials. Doucette says the response was overwhelming, once again leaving him very pleased. In fact, some classes asked for baby bundles after filling the first. Early Childhood Education students denonstrated their generosity by donating $500, which was taken out of their class fund. Premier Pat Binns says that he is more than pleased to see P.E.I. getting involved and helping others, as Holland College has done. "I think it's great that Islanders are concerned about the situation and are prepared to support the refugees, financially," Binns said. "It's a very positive gesture that they're making." According to a Kosovo crisis fact sheet, courtesy of the U.S. Agency for International Development, since March 1998, more than 900,000 Kosovian residents have been forced to leave their homes and seek refuge in other places. So far, the Canadian Red Cross has raised over $3.2 million to help provide humanitarian assistance in the southern Serbian province. Wally Morrison, the mananger of fund development for the P.E.I. Red Cross, says the money Holland College raised will go a long way in helping victims in the war-torn country. Morrison states that just $30 is enough money to keep a Kosovian well fed for a month. The $966 raised by the college is enough to pay a doctor's wages for a month. He adds that providing water, food and medicine supplies is the main focus of the Red Cross right now. It also donates material items as well such as blankets, cups, sleeping bags and generators. He is also pleased with the generousity of Islanders and Holland College students and staff. "A little bit of money can go a long way in this case," Morrison says. "It doesn't take much, but every little bit counts." All funds raised for the refugees go directly to the P.E.I. Red Cross, then to the Canadian Red Cross and finally to the International Red Cross in Geneva. "It's for a great cause," Morrison adds, "and it's excellent that Holland College got so involved."
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