Southern Miss students to hold benefit concert for victims of Haiti disaster

One of the biggest benefit concerts in USM’s history is set for February 18th, 5:30-7:30 at Union Square.

About three weeks ago, Southern Miss Activities Council public relations director Sarah Ray felt a great deal of sympathy for the people of Haiti affected by last month’s 7.0 magnitude earthquake. Ray started to give donations to Project Haiti’s relief efforts independently.

After learning that Frantz Salomon, the president of SMAC, lost an aunt in the disaster, the students decided to step up their efforts in helping those affected by the quake.

They began taking donations at residence halls and local businesses. Still, they were unsatisfied with the contributions collected.

Ray and Salomon met with other SMAC members and concerned students Wednesday in the Student Activity Hub to make arrangements for a benefit concert on campus for Project Haiti. The students say the result will be a larger-than-life benefit concert on campus.

The members of SMAC are currently working on further arrangements for the concert, and have already recruited local talent S.M.A.A.S.H., a Hattiesburg rock and hip-hop group.

Any donations will be appreciated from clothes to cash to volunteer time. SMAC encourages everyone to come enjoy the music and support the community.

“Having a benefit concert in Southern Mississippi is showing that there are leaders in the Hattiesburg community and that one community can make a big difference,” Ray said.

SMAC asks any student or local business interested in helping to e-mail Sarah Ray at Sarah.Ray@eagles.usm.edu, or call the SMAC office at (601)266-4404.