MADISON (WMSN) -- Students at the University of Wisconsin often arrive on campus with dreams of making a difference in the world.



Now, they have a legitimate opportunity.



On Thursday, students from the UW will volunteer their time at booths across campus, asking for donations, in what's being called the Day of Action for Haiti Relief.



"We wanted to do some type of fundraiser campus-wide, and as big as we could make it," said Tom Templeton, with the Associated Students of Madison.



With hundreds of thousands of Haitians suffering in the quake's aftermath, students are organizing a relief drive to help. The connections to Haiti are many they say -- from Haitian students attending the UW, to visiting professors from Haiti, to study abroad programs that bring students to the caribbean nation.



"We're part of a global community. The UW is a global university," said Adam Johnson, also with Associated Students of Madison. "We have students from all over the world."



Area businesses are joining the cause, too. The owner of Zander's Capitol Grill says he plans to match any donations made at his establishment.



"I feel like honestly anytime we can do something, when we have the power to do it, we should. They don't have the power," said owner Mohamed Barketallah. "They need the help of anybody right now."



Even before people start dropping money into plastic donation bins, students say they realize the collective power they have to do some good.



"If every person on campus donates a dollar, that's $40,000. If everyone from the community gives a dollar, that's $200,000," Templeton said.



Said Johnson, "Some people will donate more, some won't donate. I still think we can have a considerable impact, really make a difference for these people."



The booths will be set up at various locations throughout campus on Thursday. All proceeds go to the American Red Cross.

UW students organize Haiti relief fund