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A collaborative student initiative turned into a vehicle of support for the region and a timely response to a tragedy that struck an immigration services center in Binghamton.

The Latin American Student Organization, Korean American Student Association, Kappa Kappa Gamma, and the Center for Outreach and Volunteerism co-sponsored the Refugee Benefit Banquet last Friday to raise money and awareness for Utica’s Mohawk Valley Center for Refugees (MVRCR).

The center has resettled refugees in the Utica area, arranging housing, education, employment, and social services. Refugees come from 22 countries with about 40 percent from Bosnia, 21 percent from the former Soviet Union, and 14 percent from Vietnam.

Ofelia Martinez ’09 and Javier Diaz ’10 perform at the banquet held at the Hall of Presidents. (Photo by Brooke Ousterhout ’10)

The event was originally planned to solely benefit the MVRCR. But after the 13 shooting deaths at the American Civic Association in Binghamton earlier this month, the MVRCR proudly offered the organization 50 percent of the donations.

“When I said to Madelyn [Santos ’09, one of the organizers,] I hope its okay that I had that conversation with the folks at the refugee center, I could almost see an applause,” said Ellen Kraly, the geography professor who has brought many student volunteers to work at the Utica refugee center. “Everyone was thinking the same thing — How can we support Binghamton? That was a half a second’s work. No one hesitated.”

So on Friday the Hall of Presidents was filled with the spirit of sharing as people from across campus came together to support the hard work of their friends and the two centers.

Kraly gave the keynote address. Ofelia Martinez ’09 and Javier Diaz ’10 performed–providing a tribute to their Latin American heritage. KASA put on a skit about interracial relationships. Groove awed the crowd with their dance moves. Korean and Spanish food was served. The event raised more than $1,300.

“To see so many students — students of color, students in Greek life, everybody working together — was just overwhelming,” said Kraly. “The whole environment came together with such beauty and good will.

“It was kind of a metaphor for what needs to be done in the world, in our country, and on our campus. We need to make connections in new, interesting, and unconditioned ways.”