Lighting a candle for Haiti are, from left, Ted Van Geest, Eric Joseph and Marge Van Geest, all St. Catharines residents with Haiti connections. At the far left is University chaplain André Basson.

Brock staff and students remembered the victims of the Haiti earthquake today with a solemn multi-faith memorial service.

About 20 people gathered in the Thistle complex to pray, reflect and light a candle for the beleaguered country. In the capital of Port-au-Prince alone, the Jan. 12 quake has killed more than 150,000.

The only appropriate response is compassion, and “to act on our compassion to the fullest degree,” President Jack Lightstone said at the memorial.

The service was attended by Eric Joseph of St. Catharines, a native of Haiti whose family still lives there. The response of the Brock and Niagara community has helped, Joseph said.

“It makes us feel like we are not by ourselves in this world,” he said.

Joseph lit a candle with Ted and Marge Van Geest of St. Catharines, whose son and daughter-in-law lived in Haiti for more than five years before they fled the ravage of the quake.

Sameer Iqbal represented the Brock University Students’ Union (BUSU). He is the union’s vice-president of finance administration.

“Tragic events motivate us to put aside our differences and come together for a common cause,” he said.

So far, more than $7,000 has been raised on campus for the Canadian Red Cross, said John Kaethler, director of International Services. The goal is $10,000.

About $4,400 has been raised through an online donation portal at www.redcross.ca/brocku. Other fundraisers include BUSU comedy and euchre nights, Ontario Public Interest Research Group bake sales and a Community Connections silent auction.

International Services is selling samosas. Pre-orders are due Jan. 29, with a general sale on Feb. 3 in MacKenzie Chown A block. The cost is $1 per samosa or $10 per dozen (which includes two sauces per dozen). There will be an automatic delivery charge of $2 per order. Send completed order forms, with money, to the Office of International Services (DeCew 209). Click here to download the order form.

Quick links:
• Brock Red Cross donation portal
• International Services samosa order form