HALO events raise funds and supplies for orphanage

By Elliot Njus

Published Oct. 17, 2006

In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Hispanic American Leadership Organization aims to raise $1,000 for a Dominican orphanage.

HALO Secretary Carolina Escalera said she heard of the orphanage from an organization member who was studying abroad.

The Hogar Emiliano Tardif orphanage in Santiago, Dominican Republic, houses approximately 30 children between 3 and 15 years old.

The organization is accepting monetary donations as well as supplies, including pencils, paper and clothes.

"I thought, in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, to do some events to raise money for this orphanage," Escalera said. "I think we're going to meet our goal of $1,000 pretty soon."

On Thursday, the organization held a movie night at the Ragtag Cinemacafé. The event featured "The Science of Sleep," which stars Mexican actor Gael García Bernal. The organization raised $2 for every person who attended.

The organization also held a Latin dance night on Saturday at The Spanish Fly, a Latin dance club in downtown Columbia.

The event brought in $480 from cover charges, $180 from donation bowls and $50 from selling water.

The events were co-sponsored by several other organizations in an attempt to attract a greater number of students to the events because non-Hispanic students often feel they may not be welcome at HALO events, Escalera said. She said between 30 and 40 people attended the movie night and that between 260 and 280 people attended the dance night.

The organization is also appealing directly to businesses for donations.

A little more than $750 has been raised from the two events.

"We sent out about 750 letters to businesses requesting donations in the form of supplies or money," Escalera said.

Donations will also be accepted throughout the month at the International Center.