A Cappella groups to sing for Haiti relief

UNH a cappella groups Alabaster Blue, The Notables, and Not Too Sharp will be hosting a benefit concert on Saturday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. in the Murkland Auditorium to raise money for the non-profit Haiti Amputee Rehab team.

The Haiti Amputee Rehab team is made up of nine highly trained and experienced medical professionals, who specialize in amputee rehabilitation. They will be traveling to Haiti at the end of February to assist with those who suffered amputations after the earthquake.

On Tuesday, Jan. 12 the earthquake that hit Haiti left an estimated 200,000 people dead and 194,000 injured, according to Direct Relief International. The Haiti Amputee Rehab team has already met with over a 100 Haitians who suffered amputations.

Dennis Acton went to Haiti two weeks after the earthquake to help coordinate the amputee database with Global Relief Technologies. When he returned home, he stressed to his company, New England Brace Company (NEBCO), the need to organize a group of practioners to go to Haiti and help the victims.

With Acton's efforts and his company's help, the Haiti Amputee Rehab team was created.
The NEBCO Director of Fundraising Layne Case explained the team members' long process once they would begin helping patients.

"They begin the process of fabricating a prosthesis and then returning to fit them," Layne said. "Treatment for the amputees is not simple, and it will take several trips back and forth to make sure each patient is doing well."

Samantha Case, a member of The Notables, hopes the concert will bring awareness and raise money for the team. She explained the importance of their mission.

"They already have two appointments on Monday, March 1, one with a dancer and the other with a young girl," Samantha said. "She had to be cut from the rubble and lost both her legs, one was amputation above the knee and the other below the knee. She lost her whole family in the earthquake."

Samantha knew that Alabaster Blue was already planning a benefit concert for Haiti, and thought it would be a good opportunity to help raise money for the Amputee Rehab team.

"When I happened to find out about this mission I brought it to the other two groups and asked if we could donate," Samantha said.

The concert will accept donations for the team and will also be raffling off prizes from businesses in the Seacoast area. The members of the Amputee Rehab team will be at the concert, where audience members can meet with them.

Layne said she hopes the concert will raise the money needed to support the team.
"We are thrilled that the three a cappella groups were willing to lend their talents to our cause," Layne said.

Those who donate can track the team's progress on Google Earth. The operations will be documented with photos and videos.

The teams website, http://www.nebcofoundation.org/, has more information on the practioners and the team mission.