The Nevada Sagebrush

Members of the University of Nevada, Reno chapter of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority and Peace Club are teaming up to help raise money for Haiti relief, beginning 9 a.m. today in front of the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center.

Throughout the four-day event, groups will sell baked goods and accept donations. All of the proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross.

One mission of Pi Beta Phi is to enrich the lives of people through community service, Kristy Yenicky, vice president of Pi Beta Philanthropy said. Joining together with the Peace Club,  the sorority plans to make a difference with their contribution to Haiti relief.

“Philanthropy is very important to Greek affiliations on campus,” Yenick said. “It gets overlooked a lot by outsiders. We as a sorority want to prove that we care and are capable of doing much more. Giving back is a part of our foundation. Putting it more out on campus will make students more aware of what we do and not have the perception that all sororities and fraternities do is party.”

Yenick also said the idea for the fundraiser was brought up because no group or organization on campus has really stepped up and done anything for Haiti.

“There is no goal for how much money we would like to raise,” Yenick said. “There is never a deadline for world relief disaster. We are just looking for a great turnout and hope our contributions will be helpful.”

Breanna Jefferson, a 19-year-old undecided major and member of Pi Beta Phi, said she is excited for the upcoming event and for giving back to Haiti.

“It’s a great thing for us. It has been awhile since we’ve done something on campus,” Jefferson said. “I am extremely excited to participate, especially with Peace Club.”

People who donate to the cause will also have a chance to win prizes including Java Jungle gift certificates, Amendment 21 gift certificates, Boreal Lift tickets and Century Theaters tickets.
All the prizes were donated by the community in an effort to bring aid to Haiti. The gift certificates will be raffled off on Friday.

Peace Club President Lessian Sadykova, a 19 year-old international affairs and economics major, also predicts that the fundraiser will be successful.

“The two groups are coming together in order to raise money for a great objective,” she said. “I encourage students to donate 50 cents to a dollar or more. If the majority of the students donate it will add up and make a difference.”

Although the issues in Haiti will not be solved overnight, donating will allow the relief process to proceed more quickly, sorority members said.

Kayla Johnson can be reached at news@nevadasagebrush.com.

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