Västgöta Nation do their part in helping with the refugee crisis. The Nation will donate this whole week’s food proceeds to the Red Cross’s relief operations in the Mediterranean area.
Commitment to help in the current refugee crisis grows stronger within student circles. Lunds Nation have contributed to fundraisers and Smålands Nation have given a lecture remuneration to aid refugees. Now, Västgöta Nation take a step further and choose to donate all of this week’s food proceeds to the Red Cross’s alleviation in the Mediterranean area.
“It’s important that we all show that students are conscious and willing to contribute. By starting a fundraiser and spreading it, we can inspire other people to do the same”, says Jonna Restin, Curator at Västgöta Nation.
Initiative from supervisor
The initiative came from a supervisor at the Nation last week and since then things have proceeded rapidly. The fundraiser started on the sly last Friday and will continue until this Sunday. Västgöta Nation themselves will donate food proceeds from their five restaurants. Moreover, private donations to the Red Cross’s website are also encouraged. And many people have been interested in contributing.
“When you’ve satiated your hunger with us, you also enable other people to eat until they’re full”, Jonna Restin says.
Goal already achieved
The goal for the fundraiser was to gather 10 000SEK by the end of the week. That amount was reached before the week had barely begun – solely through private contributions. Now, VG take a step towards gathering 20 000SEK.
“It feels great. The reactions have been very positive and many people have contacted us, wanting to contribute. The fact that we already have more than 10 000SEK is proof that people think it’s a good initiative”, Jonna Restin says.
“Something must happen”
The fundraiser has already reached beyond the walls of the Nation. Many former alumni have chosen to contribute and calls have been positive. “Amazing to see the commitment of adolescents!” writes one contributor, who donated 250SEK. “You make it so easy to help”, states another one.
Jonna Restin believes the different options of commitment engage people even more:
“It’s not only people from VG who have helped, and that differs a bit from the other initiatives. It should be as easy to go to VG’s and have lunch as helping from your home. The thresholds should be low”, she says.
Jonna Restin now hopes that the Nation’s initiative will spread to other nations and organizations in Lund.
“We’re a drop in the ocean that is the students and organizations in Lund. Only creativity sets a limit. Goodwill is definitely present among students, but you have to take a hold of things – something must happen”, she says.
Here you can contribute to Västgöta Nation’s fundraiser.
Translation: Elise Petersson
