noffen@heraldsun.com; 419-6646
DURHAM -- The wicker picnic baskets moved down the rows of North Carolina Central University's B. N. Duke Auditorium, gathering a growing pile of dollar bills, fives and even a few 20s.
The people putting money in the baskets Thursday morning had gathered to honor and remember Martin Luther King Jr. at the university's official convocation celebrating the life and message of the slain civil rights leader.
But the shadow of the devastating Haitian earthquake hung heavily over the gathering and gave a special urgency to repeated pleas for meeting King's challenge and calls for dedication to public service.
NCCU Chancellor Charlie Nelms asked for "the passing of the hat," telling the jammed auditorium that it would be "in keeping with the significance of the life of Dr. King."
The audience -- NCCU students, teachers and staff, as well as community members -- had an opportunity, Nelms said, "to do something today that will have a real impact on the people of Haiti."
"We're going to go to church," the chancellor shouted out as members of a service fraternity passed the baskets around. "Contribute as much or as little as you have so the citizens of Haiti have water, and food, and a place to sleep."
All the proceeds collected Thursday, Nelms said, would be shared with the United Nations World Food Program, to help the Haitian people. The chancellor himself promised that he and his wife, Jeanetta, would match up to $1,000 in contributions to the cause.
As the baskets filled up, County Commissioners Chairman Michael Page, pastor of Antioch Baptist Church, intoned a "special prayer" for the people of Haiti.
Acknowledging that "we don't always understand the things that happen in this world," Page said the people of Haiti need "comfort, love, peace and understanding."
In times like these, he went on, we all must work to help "put the pieces back together."
Deborah Bailey, director of the academic community service learning program at NCCU, noted the obvious sadness in the room.
"Our hearts are full of grief," she said, but that means there is work to be done, and "we are uniquely called and qualified for service around the world. Let's show up."
