On Friday, February 17th, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars will present an “I Love the 90’s!” Benefit Concert for the Power Up Gambia organization. The event, at the University of Pittsburgh’s O’Hara Student Center from 7-9 p.m., hopes to raise awareness and funds for Power Up Gambia. This organization strives to provide “reliable electricity and water to health care facilities in The Gambia through solar energy” (powerupgambia.org).
“The National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS) is an honors organization that recognizes and elevates high achievers. NSCS provides career and graduate school connections, leadership and service experiences, access to discounts and savings as well as $250,000 in scholarships annually. NSCS Members are deeply committed to service, integrity and scholarship and, as a result, are impacting their campus and local communities every day” (nscs.org).
NSCS has already been involved in so many different events on Pitt’s campus and in the greater Pittsburgh area. For example, NSCS participates in Pitt Make a Difference Day (PMADD), which is a large event during the fall semester. NSCS has also partnered with the Barack Obama Academy of International Studies in efforts to mentor, tutor, and establish a pen pal program to introduce students to college life.
Now, NSCS has chosen to help raise money for Power Up Gambia. In a powerful statement issued by the organization, Power Up Gambia asks supporters to “imagine a hospital without electricity, nurses having to tend to patients, deliver babies and set IV lines by candlelight…” Furthermore, at this hospital, “Emergency surgeries would be impossible. Children in respiratory distress would have no supplemental oxygen from oxygen concentrators. Drugs and vaccines dependent on refrigeration would be ruined” (powerupgambia.org). Power Up Gambia envisions using solar power to change all of this and to revive the facilities.
The “I Love the 90’s” concert will feature many different performers and speakers. These include MC Eric Markley, Executive Director Lynn McConville from Power Up Gambia organization, C Flat Run, Pitt Hip Hop Crew, Pitt Women’s Chorale Ensemble, Pitt Ballet Club, Sounds of Pleasure, Richie Liberatore (a Pitt Campus Cutie!), and Pitt Concert Band Saxes. The concert is free, but donations are appreciated and raffles will be given out to any donors. Be sure to come out and support so many Pitt students and an overall great cause!
Sources and image: http://www.powerupgambia.org/