Sorority Vows to Help with Relief to Haiti
President urges members to give generously & prepare for a long commitment
In an outreach to members, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's International President Barbara A. McKinzie appealed to members to contribute to relief efforts for Haiti, in the wake of the "catastrophic earthquake that has devastated...this already-struggling nation." She said it is a catastrophe that has "profoundly saddened" the Sorority.
She directed members to make contributions to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority with a notation that the check be directed toward Haiti Relief. In turn, the Sorority will log in all monies and then turn the contributions over to CARE, an AKA partner whose mission to provide relief to countries in distress mirrors the current need in Haiti.
In asking for members to help, she noted that "thousands have died, thousands are missing and presumed dead, and survivors have lost family members, their homes and their lives."
She observed that the trauma impacting Haiti is a "situation that cries out for help." She said that Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is poised to respond. While she noted that the Sorority does not have a chapter in Haiti, the organization is bound by its humanitarianism and its credo of service that extends to all mankind. Because of this, she said the organization "must rally around the citizens of Haiti in this hour of need."
She said AKA is also following the call to action by President Obama, who is leading a swift and coordinated effort to provide immediate relief to the citizens of Haiti.
McKinzie urged members to prepare for a long-term commitment, since the crisis will not be allayed any time soon. "We must provide strength to our brothers and sisters in Haiti during this crisis of monumental proportions," she said. "This is a dire situation that will require assistance for years to come. So, even when this incident no longer dominates news, we must continue to be committed to this cause."
Drawing from her ESP theme, McKinzie urged members to Embrace, Support and Pledge to be there for the country of Haiti and its citizens, during their time of unbelievable crisis.