A Ralph Lauren cashmere sweater, Judith Ripka crystal earrings, a Philip Stein diamond watch and a 52-inch Sony TV might not have much usefulness in Haiti, but they're helping to raise money for Hinche Scholars, thanks to yesterday's episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show."
Richmonders Danny Yates and Ken Henshaw were invited to the taping to recognize their efforts to bring eight Haitian students to the United States to study in the aftermath of the devastating Haitian earthquake.
Yates said they thought they'd be telling Winfrey's TV viewers about the project, but instead they found themselves showered with gifts like the rest of the studio audience. Instead of keeping all the gifts, they decided to auction some of them on eBay to raise money for scholarships.
Yates, a student at the College of William and Mary, said he was one of the few audience members who got to talk briefly with Winfrey after the cameras were off. He darted around the back to get to the show's star.
"Her bodyguards blocked me at first," he said. "Then she came over and gave me a hug. I was one of the few males in the audience and one of the few college-age students. I thanked her for the invitation and the generosity." He gave her a brochure and told her a little bit about the project.
"Her response was, 'Yeah, that's why we selected you. Keep on keeping on.'"
Barber Scotia College in Concord, N.C., has accepted the Haitian students, but they haven't received visas, Yates said. This fall, two professors from Barber Scotia went to Haiti to teach the students there. They received six to 12 credits each.
"They just finished their last class," Yates said. "For a whole month, the students lived with the two professors and spoke nothing but English. The experience cost us very little. The professors were essentially volunteering.
"I feel the project has begun."
By Katherine Calos | TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
Published: November 20, 2010
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