The results are in from Chapel Hill's Haitian Relief Day, held yesterday. Once all the proceeds from local business receipts and corporate and personal donations were tallied, $4,588.53 was raised to help relief efforts following an earthquake in Haiti two weeks ago.Toby Barfield and Beth Deacon of the American Red Cross with Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt.

Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt presented the check to the Orange County chapter of the American Red Cross this afternoon at The Siena Hotel. The new mayor said that, during times like these, "my chest just busts open with pride in our community." He added that the area's response to crises like the one in Haiti reinforce the region's reputation for leadership. 

Anthony Carey and Prateek Chandak of The Siena Hotel led the community effort. Participants included the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, A Southern Season/Weathervane, The Carolina Inn/Carolina Crossroads, Lark Home Apparel, Sheraton Chapel Hill/Shula's 347, The Siena Hotel/Il Palio, Top of the Hill, Town Hall Grill, Chapel Hill Magazine and WCHL 1360. Participating businesses gave a percentage of yesterday's sales to the cause and/or collected employee donations.

Jay White, vice president of customer relations at A Southern Season, said he was particularly moved when one employee returned items that he had purchased recently so that he could buy them again and help the relief effort. 

The community is coming together to help Haiti.

The Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, Chapel Hill Magazine, 1360 WCHL and The Siena Hotel are urging local businesses and residents to participate in “Chapel Hill’s Haitian Relief Day” by donating a percentage of their sales on Wednesday, Jan. 27 to the cause.

The Siena Hotel's General Manager Anthony Carey is leading the effort. Local retail, restaurants, corporate, media and health care businesses are raising money in a variety of ways to help. Any business wishing to participate should contact Anthony Carey at 929-4000. In addition, some businesses are choosing to simply make a donation and also encouraging their employees to donate. Participating businesses are invited to come together at The Siena Hotel on Thursday, Jan. 28 at 3:30 p.m. when Mayor Mark Kleinschmidt will present the Orange County office of the American Red Cross with the proceeds. See below for a list of participating businesses:

A Southern Season/Weathervane

Carolina Inn/Carolina Crossroads

Lark Home Apparel

Sheraton Chapel Hill/Shula's 347

Siena Hotel/Il Palio

Top of The Hill

Town Hall Grill

Chapel Hill Magazine

WCHL 1360

Update on Monday, January 25, 2010 at 4:51PM by Andrea Griffith

We just heard from Alan Corpus at Salon 135. On Sun., Jan. 31, the staff at the salon will be cutting hair from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with 100% of the proceeds going to the American Red Cross' efforts in Haiti. 

The salon is located at 128 E. Franklin St.

Update on Monday, February 1, 2010 at 11:41AM by Andrea Griffith

Alan reports that Salon 135 raised $653 on Sunday -- an impressive amount considering the wintry conditions!