On the night of Thursday, March 26, 2015, the Haitian Student Association (HSA) hosted the fifth annual Score 4 Haiti basketball game. The game involved two teams, one team compiled of Kean University students and the other of Bloomfield College students, each team wearing jerseys with “Haiti” written on the back of the shirt. Both teams were compiled of students who do not hold a position on the school’s recognized basketball team.

Before the game started the HSA board was introduced to the crowd, followed by an introduction and statement made by alumnus and past member of HSA, Bado Alverna. He started this basketball charity event for Haiti five years ago when a disastrous earth quake hit Haiti. He comments on how he didn’t “think that this will still be going on five years ago.” He began this program after he had visited family in Haiti, and thought to himself, “How can I help?”

The game started off with a good start. Kean University was in the lead for the first few minutes of the game with Bloomfield College not too far behind, but slowly catching up. By the end of the first quarter, the score was 29 to 38 with Bloomfield College in the lead.

There were several halftime performances, including two dance teams. Before the dance teams hit the stage, there was a free throw competition where one students from each college was able to win a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card. The two students—one  from Kean University and another from Bloomfield College—who were chosen by raffle tickets to play the competition had to make the most free throw shots. The student who attends Bloomfield College came out victorious and went home with the gift card. After the challenge, it was time for two dance teams from Bloomfield College and Montclair University to perform. As a tribute to cause of the event, both dance teams performed a few Haitian dance moves along to Haitian music.

All in all the basketball game was a hit, especially the students. Many can agree with sophomore speech pathology major Brittney Georges, who says, “I liked it a lot. I especially support this cause, not only because I am Haitian myself but because it is for a good cause.”

Although, at the end of the game Kean University lost to Bloomfield College with a score of 74 to 78, a significant amount of money was raised to help a hospital in Haiti. President of the HSA Norha Kavanagh, who is a senior majoring in business management, comments on how “that day we raised [over] $2,100.” She continues to say that all of “the funds were donated to [the organization] Haiti Life. It is an organization that supplies clinics which are hospitals in Haiti.” All of the money will be donated to the hospital in Desdunes, Haiti, a  hospital that is in need of medical supplies.

“The game was a pretty tight game,” comments Kavanagh, “I wish we came home with the trophy, but our focus was raising just enough funds for Haiti Life.” And every penny counts when it comes to helping a country in need. The money raised at the Score 4 Haiti basketball game can help the hospital in Desdunes tremendously and go a long way.