VitA - past causes

UNICEF & Oxfam

Response to the 2004 Asian Tsunami

As one of the worst natural disasters in modern history, the 2004 Asian Tsunami killed or displaced 225,000 people in eleven different countries. The nearly unprecedented devastation, occurring just one day after Christmas, also inspired nearly unprecedented generosity. In just one month, Americans privately donated $220 million. The incontrovertible need, and the multitude of individuals willing to help, led to the formation of VitA.

Love's date auction raised $6,500 that was donated to two international non-profit organizations, UNICEF and Oxfam.

Read more about UNICEF's sustained efforts in Asia here.
Read more about Oxfam's sustained efforts here.

In2Books

Improvement of Local Education

For its second fundraising event, VitA wanted to acknowledge the need existing in its local community. According to the 2005 National Assessment of Educational Progress, only 11 percent of fourth graders scored at a level of proficient or above in reading and language arts. In response, Breeze's fashion show raised $2,700 for In2Books, a locally founded non-profit organization that uses a curriculum based e-mentoring program to stimulate excitement about learning among students.

Nambikkai

Commitment to the 2004 Asian Tsunami

The 2004 tsunami caused profound and long term devastation in many areas of South East Asia. The effects of the disaster are still evident today, outlasting the brief media coverage and relief efforts of 2005. Despite diminishing press and donations, VitA revitalized efforts and refocused attention on the small communities still struggling to recover from the tsunami. Spark's proceeds funded medical aid for an orphanage's clinic in Nagapattinam, one of the most tsunami-impacted areas in India. The $8,600 raised was able to provide for a year's length of dedicated medical attention from a qualified doctor and nurse, and also supported the cost of medicine and clean water. Medical services and supplies are currently shared and open to the entire village.

The project is headed by an organization named Nambikkai, which was founded by Karibeeran Parameswaran and his wife, Choodamani. After losing their three children to the tsunami waves, they were inspired to adopt children who had lost their families and homes.