Hundreds of Georgia Southern University students involved in more than 30 organizations are doing all they can to help the victims of  the recent devastation by earthquake in Haiti.
    Joining forces in an effort that connects the 32 groups, most of them panhellenic organizations, are working with the Bulloch Chapter of the American Red Cross  to hold  the "United for Haiti" three-day event to "recruit donations and public awareness of the  current Haiti  disaster relief operations," said K. Lynn Bowen, executive director for the Red Cross' Bulloch County chapter.
    Students involved in "United for Haiti" have been selling ribbons, collecting donations and working on a program to be held tonight that will "educate folks about Haiti, pre-earthquake and post-earthquake," said Dr. Annemarie Seifort, associate vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Georgia Southern University.
    "This is a student-initiated, student-run program," she said. "They wanted it to be an informal event with different organizations collaborating."
    It is important for students to be able to become involved, since several students are from Haiti and faculty and staff members are impacted by the catastrophe in Haiti. "This has impacted our community, and for students to be able to respond to that is extremely important."
    Natalia Daies, president of the National Panhellenic Council of Georgia Southern University, said the effort has been a three-day event that will culminate tonight with performances by several choirs, bands, and other groups, including testimonials from people with connections to Haiti. A candlelight vigil will bring the events to a close.
    The "United for Haiti" program will be held from 5-8 p.m. in GSU's Russell Student Union. Donation opportunities will be available, and the vigil will be held outside the Union at the Rotunda.
    All donations will be sent to Haiti, but discussion is still being done regarding which organization the money will be given to, Daies said. "The American Red Cross is a big option."
    For more information on the events, access Internet Web site www.georgiasouthern.edu/haiti.
    Holli Deal Bragg may be reached at 489-9414.