NHS Students To Hold

A Fundraiser For Haiti This Weekend

After the destruction of the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, many organizations worldwide began sending monetary donations and supplies to aid in reconstruction.

Outside support has come from not only established organizations, but the earthquake has also gained local attention here in Newtown. NHS junior Melissa Destefano immediately began to help. The day after the quake struck, she drew a flyer asking for supplies such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, non-perishable food items, and clothing that would be sent to Haiti. She had the flyer approved by the high school’s administration, then hung them around the school. The next day she set up boxes for supply drop-off in front of the school’s main office.

Worrying that not much student participation would occur, Melissa then took the next step and visited her local dentist’s office, Dental Associates, located on Church Hill Road, to ask if they would be willing to donate toothbrushes and toothpaste to the cause.

“They were so eager to help,” Melissa said. “The receptionist called the Danbury office right away to ask if they had extra supplies they’d be willing to donate, and they agreed to send them over. I was so excited!”

Melissa returned to the office to pick up the supplies, beginning the collection. After that, she checked the boxes in her school once a week, surprisingly bringing more items than expected home with her.

“They collected in my room. When people came over, they would say ‘Wow! You got that much stuff?’ It was really rewarding.” she states. “People even went beyond what the flyer asked for and brought in items such as decks of cards.”

The supply drive, however, was not enough for Melissa. She wanted to make a monetary donation as well.

Friday Fundraiser

As the president of Global Voice, a human rights activism club at Newtown High School, Melissa also worked with members to plan a benefit concert at the Newtown Teen Center.

Members of the band Homelife, who are also members of Global Voice, with Melissa, have devised a fundraiser. The event will be held Friday, March 5, from 7 to 11 pm. Homemade baked goods will be sold. Admission will be $7.

The NHS members of Homelife are juniors Neil Berthier (guitar and vocals), Terence Lee (bass), Kyle Gallatin (guitar), and Dan White (drums).

Additional bands that will be playing are Sound of Sirens, Human Ruin, Out of Babylon and MAGS, who will open for headliner Homelife.

All profits of this event will be donated to the organization HaitiMaryCare, helping in the reconstruction of Haiti, whereby 100 percent of all money collected goes directly to those in need.