The Students for Abolition, Liberation, and Transformation (SALT) group at Haverford organized a clothing drive in order to raise money for a family in Palestine on Friday. The drive coincided with the walkout organized by Haverford’s chapter of the Young Democratic Socialists of America so that students could donate while participating in the walkout.
The family SALT is fundraising for is a mother and daughter in Gaza who also have other relatives they are trying to support. SALT was connected with them through other organizers that the group has worked with in the past.
“We are trying to commit ourselves to material support” to people in Gaza, said SALT Co-Head Ramona Pierce HC ‘27.
The clothes sold were donated by Haverford students and then washed. They were then displayed at the walkout, where students then could purchase them on a pay what you can basis.
When students purchase clothes or donate, they could send the money to SALT through Venmo. The family already had a Chuffed account, a platform similar to Gofundme, but SALT’s Venmo was added as an additional option that did not require as much personal information to be shared. At each weekly meeting, the group recaps how much money they have raised, and it is then sent to a Haverford alum who was previously involved with SALT who transfers it to the family. The group also has been communicating with the family directly through Whatsapp.
SALT has been fundraising for this family since midsemester, said Pierce. Before Thanksgiving break, there was a pop up clothes sale similar to this event. The group has also had a table in the Dining Center most weeks asking for donations, and there has been some individual outreach as well.
Pierce feels that the drive has been largely successful so far, and that students have been receptive. SALT exceeded their goal of $2000 for the month of November, and have set a similar goal for future months that will be adjusted depending on how successful they are.
“We’re really lucky to have a really good group this year of really motivated people,” said Pierce.
The group plans on continuing fundraising in the spring, said Pierce, though they have not yet decided on what events they will be doing.
“I’m grateful to everyone on campus who’s donated so far,” said Pierce, adding that “I hope that we’re putting things on people’s radars beyond just donating, and putting the crisis of Zionism and the genocide of Palestinians at the forefront even when we’re raising for just a specific goal.”
