Situation in Haiti is Grave - Letter from our Principals

January 22, 2010

Dear New Trier faculty, staff, and families,

The tragedy and devastation in Haiti continues, and the New Trier community has graciously overwhelmed us with their pledges and donations for the village of Petit-Goave. Since the original e-mail sent last Friday, over $13,000 has been donated to rebuild this village of 50,000 people. In addition, other schools have offered to partner with us, neighborhoods have united to raise funds, and individual families have expressed their support. We have never been prouder of our community as we live out our motto “…hearts to compassion, and lives to the service of humanity.” Our Student Activities Coordinators on both the Winnetka and Northfield campuses are managing the different clubs and adviser rooms that want to raise funds for the relief effort. Some of these fundraising efforts include partnerships between New Trier and a wide range of schools and organizations in the community. For example, Evanston and New Trier are co-sponsoring “Hoops for Haiti” to raise money at the January 29th basketball game at Northwestern. In addition, the New Trier Performing Arts Directors are planning to donate money from the ticket sales of The Freshman Play, “Page to Stage” on February 4. The outreach has been incredible! Our Haitian friends, who have lost family members, loved ones, and homes, feel and appreciate our support and encouragement.

Currently, no aid has reached Petit-Goave since the earthquake. Residents are without food, water, and medical assistance. Much of the city lies in ruins, including St. Joseph School. There’s an urgent short term need for funds to purchase food, water, and medical supplies. In the long term, our goal is to help rebuild the school and surrounding community. Please continue to check the link on the New Trier Haiti home page for more information including pictures and video from Petit-Goave. We will keep the information as current as possible. The website address is: http://www.newtrier.k12.il.us/haitiproject.aspx
As a reminder, New Trier’s Haiti Project is partnering with locally-based non-profit Little by Little, a 501 (c) 3 organization. All donations are tax-deductible and 100% of funds will be used to respond to relief efforts in Petit-Goave. Our goal is $100,000, and we are very confident with the generous hearts in this community that we will achieve this ambitious goal.

With hope for the future,

Tim Dohrer Jan Borja
Winnetka Campus Principal Northfield Campus Principal