Mars Cafe. Photo: Sarah Andrews

News of the earthquake that rocked Haiti was difficult, but contributing to relief efforts can be easy. Mars Café and Drake University Student Life are combining efforts for the “Help Hai­ti” event on Thursday from 7 to 10 p.m.

For a suggessted donation of $3 at the door, the event will of­fer music, coffee and food. All proceeds will go to the Red Cross nonprofit organization. The Seedlings, a local band headlined by Danny Heggen, will provide acoustic entertainment. There will also be free prizes which have been donated by area businesses, such as the Drake University Bookstore, Jethros BBQ and Sodexo Starbucks.

Southern Haiti was hit by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake on Jan.12. Haitian President René Préval said almost 170,000 bod­ies have been counted. It is the largest earthquake to ever hit the island.

The American Red Cross has pledged aid in multiple areas. The money from “Help Haiti” will fund actions outlined on the organization’s Web site, including funding prepackaged food meals, clean drinking water and distribution of shelter survival items.

Drake University Student Life decided it was necessary to re­spond to the disaster. Brittney Miller, Drake student coordinator for volunteer service programs, thought it would be best to col­laborate with a popular student spot.

“I wanted the event to connect Drake students with the com­munity and I thought this would be a great way to do that,” Mill­er said. “I also received a positive response from the owner and manager at Mars, which made me excited to work with them.”

Other campus organizations, including Students for Women’s Issues, Student Senate, African Students Association, Students in Free Enterprise and International Students Association (ISA) also sponsored the event.

“I have had help from not only organizations, but also indi­vidual students to put the entire event together,” Miller said.

Earl Lee, the president of ISA, anticipates the event to be successful.

“It is my obligation to enlighten the campus about issues af­fecting international students, and this will help Drake students become better global citizens, per the Drake Mission statement,” Lee said.

Mars Café, down the street from Drake agreed to be the ven­ue for the event, because the employees saw an imminent need for the relief aid and opportunity to help.

“I think everyone who works here really cares about what’s going on,” said Erin Stover, a Mars Café barista.

The café has hosted fundraiser events in the past. One such event was a global social networking event for a charity called Water, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to bringing clean, safe water to developing nations.

Mars Café is located at 2318 University Ave. Parking will be available in the back parking lot and attendees are advised to come early to find a seat.