Airan Scruby
Staff Writer
Changes have been made to where the proceeds will go from “One cause, One hope, One world,” Pepperdine’s effort to raise money for tsunami victims.
Pepperdine will no longer be raising funds through the Red Cross. Problems with developing a contract with the organization, caused Pepperdine to redirect its efforts to focus on the other organizations the university had already planned to work with, World Vision and the International Justice Mission.
SGA President Carl Kasalek said that once the success of Pepperdine’s fund raising has been evaluated, the university may consider supporting other related projects as well.
Though many other groups and organizations have provided an overwhelming amount of financial support, Kasalek said he feels it is necessary for students to share in the effort. “It’s important for Pepperdine students to realize the impact that they can make on the world,” Kasalek said.
Spirit and Ongoing Events Director Patrick Noland said the Pepperdine project has already planned several events to raise money for victims of the Southeast Asia tragedy. A breakfast before Convocation on Wednesday helped to raise funds, and “Card Shark Night” on Jan. 28 also benefited tsunami victims.
Pepperdine students can still find many ways to help out with the tsunami crisis on campus. During Homecoming Week, students can participate in “Bulldog Bingo”; all proceeds go to the tsunami relief fund, Noland said.
Volunteer Center intern and junior Seth Allingham said more events, still in the planning stages, will take place during Homecoming Week.
Allingham said the increased awareness among students of school events during Homecoming, coupled with the presence of alumni and professors who may not be involved in campus life on a regular basis, make the week of school spirit and fun ideal for events that could benefit those affected by the tsunami.
Students can begin purchasing “Hope Bracelets” Feb. 9. The bracelets will be light blue in color and will have the word “hope” in eight languages, similiar in style to the Livestrong bracelets endorsed by Lance Armstrong and Nike. Each Hope Bracelet will cost $5, and all profits will go to tsunami relief funds. Kasalek said the bracelets will be the largest effort of the Pepperdine campaign, especially because the letter-writing campaign that had been previously discussed was abandoned due to time restraints.
Allingham said a large list of schools have agreed to carry the bracelets, and at least 40,000 will be distributed. USC, UCLA, Loyola Marymount University, California State University Northridge, the Claremont Colleges and many others will participate.
Noland, who is involved in the tsunami-relief effort not only in his position as Spirit and Ongoing Events director, but through the pre-Convocation breakfast and “Bulldog Bingo” as well, said he was glad to see unity on campus in delivering aid to victims.
“It’s interesting to see Pepperdine organizations come together for a good cause,” he said.
02-03-2005