Help Haiti: Community concert to benefit earthquake victims

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A benefit concert will be held on Friday, January 29, 2010 to raise funds to Help Haiti. The concert will take place at 7 pm at the Laurentian University Fraser Auditorium and all proceeds will go towards earthquake disaster relief efforts, which are currently underway. A local charitable organization, Books for Reading/Mission of TEARS, is presenting the concert in partnership with Rainbow District School Board, Laurentian University, CTV Sudbury, CJTK Radio and New Orleans Pizza Lasalle.

“The Mission of TEARS is currently involved at the ground level, offering disaster relief in Haiti,” said Guy Campeau, regional director with the organization and a teacher with Rainbow Schools.  “Through the Books for Reading program, thousands of books and supplies have been shipped to Haiti in recent years with support from local schools and businesses. Public libraries have also been established. Much of these good efforts have been wiped out as a result of the earthquake, so we need to rebuild,” he said.

In addition to the concert, Rainbow District School Board is inviting students and staff to contribute to disaster relief efforts by donating a Toonie for Haiti. “Now, in the aftermath of the earthquake, we remind students that events of this magnitude have long lasting effects beyond the initial headlines,” said Director of Education Jean Hanson. “The earthquake may have come and gone, but the devastation lives on and the need for support continues to grow. As active global citizens, we can make a difference as we focus on the sustainability of a just, humane, democratic, respectful society.”

"Laurentian University is proud to host this fundraising event with its community partners,” said Laurentian University President Dominic Giroux. “One of our four key goals is to be responsive to the communities we serve.  Students, faculty and staff at Laurentian are, like their fellow citizens, devastated by the tragedy in Haiti. This will likely be one of several fundraising activities to be held on our main campus in the coming days and weeks", he added.

Mission of TEARS is a registered Federal Charity in operation since 1993 based in Toronto with a regional office in Sudbury. “Our motto is nothing started without hope, nothing finished without faith, nothing accomplished without love,” said Campeau. “Our motto is reflected in our name. TEARS stands for Teaching, Educating, Advocating, Resourcing and Serving.”

Watch for more details about the concert!

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Media Contacts:

Guy Campeau can be reached at 507-5171

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 674-3171, ext. 7217.