Two months after the tsunami disaster, University of Wisconsin students and faculty will gather tonight to continue their efforts to aid tsunami victims.
The Wisconsin Union Directorate Community Service and WUD Student Performance Committee will direct the Tsunami Relief Concert to be held from 7 to 9 p.m. in Mills Concert Hall of the Humanities Building.
“It’s going to be awesome that students get together and enjoy the concert performed by different student organizations,” Adam Robinson, director of WUD Student Performance Committee, said.
The concert aims “to educate and encourage” students about tsunami relief efforts, as well as entertain them, Robinson said.
The concert will include performances by UW MadHatters, Tangled Up In Blue, Dance Elite, Liturgical Dance Movement, UW Bellydancing Group, UW Comedy Improv Troupe, UW World Percussion Ensemble and a spoken word performance by Eric Mata.
Suggested donations of $5 to $10 will be collected and go directly to the International Rescue Committee (IRC), a leading relief organization.
“It started off as just a few people talking about helping the hurricane effort from hurricanes in Florida,” Heather Killeen, director of WUD Community Service, said. “(The concert) then turned into a full-blown-out event to help with, now, the tsunami relief effort.”
Killeen said WUD hopes to attract a large crowd to the event in order to donate a substantial amount of money.
“We are hoping to sell out the concert and take all the profits and donate it to IRC,” Killeen said. “Mills Music Hall holds over 700 people, and we want as many students to come as we can to fill seats.”
Other UW relief efforts have also taken place on campus to raise money for tsunami victims. The International Student Services Advisor Committee, which is supported by 20 other international organizations, is also planning both educational and entertainment activities, according to Pap Saar, director of the program.
The ISS Advisor Committee plans to hold an educational event April 18, with speakers from Southeast Asia who will talk to students about the tsunami crisis. Additionally, an Intercultural Night will be held April 22 as a fundraising event and will feature a volleyball tournament.
“Raising money on campus is not an easy task,” Saar said.
The best idea is to encourage students to donate directly to Red Cross, UNICEF or other organizations that are collecting money for tsunami relief, Saar said.
“[The tsunami disaster] happened on Dec. 26; some people are quick to forget,” he added. “[This concert] will be good to remind people that it has happened, and help is still needed.”
Also, for students whose financial support has been disrupted by the tsunami disaster, the International Students Assistance Fund, created in partnership with the Wisconsin Alumni Association and ISS, assists them with funding from private donors, according to Director of International Relations Liz Stern.
She added there is no maximum amount for which students may apply, and the fund will be administered on an as-needed basis.
