Helping the Haiti survivors: Alumna creates relief fund
Ghianda Becerril
Issue date: 2/16/10 Section: News
After the tragic events in Haiti, many people began to get together in order to help out those in need. Meroudjie Denis, a doctoral student at Texas Women's University and a University of Dallas alumna, decided to do everything in her power in order to help. She had been sitting in a hotel room in Puerto Rico when she heard of the earthquake. "I was sitting in that room glued to CNN for three days, watching everything. It was so much to take in. I knew that I had to do something," Denis said.
With the aid of the UD and Irving community, Denis was able to begin a donation drive for the Haiti survivors. Born in Haiti herself, Denis decided to try to help out as much as she could by creating a relief fund where anyone could donate anything from canned goods to clothes. "I knew that I couldn't help my family in Haiti directly, but I knew that I would be able to save a couple of lives by doing this," Denis said. The drive began about three and a half weeks ago here at UD. Boxes donated from Aramark were set up in Haggar so that students and Irving residents were able to drop off items as desired. "Meroudjie came to our office because she was looking for a way to do this. UD is kind of her family and she knows a lot of people here," said Rachel Gilliam, director of alumni relations.
Denis belongs to a group called Texans for Haiti. With this group and the help of many people, Denis was able to collect over 350 boxes full of useful items to be sent to Haiti. Of these items, many were canned foods, clothing, blankets, water and tents.
Despite the fact that this was the first time Denis had taken on a project of this size, she tried as hard as she could and got the help of many volunteers. "It's been a nightmare. There are no words to describe it," Denis said.
Denis was able to go to the media in order to get the word out. Everyone ranging from WFAA Channel 8 to local radio got the word out that the drive was happening. "After getting the word out, it was great to see how many people came with donations," Gilliam said. With the help of Campus Ministry, they were able to help store the boxes before they were shipped. "Boxes are still in my office and piled up to the ceiling," Gilliam said.
With the aid of the UD and Irving community, Denis was able to begin a donation drive for the Haiti survivors. Born in Haiti herself, Denis decided to try to help out as much as she could by creating a relief fund where anyone could donate anything from canned goods to clothes. "I knew that I couldn't help my family in Haiti directly, but I knew that I would be able to save a couple of lives by doing this," Denis said. The drive began about three and a half weeks ago here at UD. Boxes donated from Aramark were set up in Haggar so that students and Irving residents were able to drop off items as desired. "Meroudjie came to our office because she was looking for a way to do this. UD is kind of her family and she knows a lot of people here," said Rachel Gilliam, director of alumni relations.
Denis belongs to a group called Texans for Haiti. With this group and the help of many people, Denis was able to collect over 350 boxes full of useful items to be sent to Haiti. Of these items, many were canned foods, clothing, blankets, water and tents.
Despite the fact that this was the first time Denis had taken on a project of this size, she tried as hard as she could and got the help of many volunteers. "It's been a nightmare. There are no words to describe it," Denis said.
Denis was able to go to the media in order to get the word out. Everyone ranging from WFAA Channel 8 to local radio got the word out that the drive was happening. "After getting the word out, it was great to see how many people came with donations," Gilliam said. With the help of Campus Ministry, they were able to help store the boxes before they were shipped. "Boxes are still in my office and piled up to the ceiling," Gilliam said.
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