Loyola Marymount Fundraising a Slam Dunk

Posted: 22 March 2005

Students at Loyola Marymount University in California are feeling tremors on campus, but it's not an earthquake. It's the chain reaction of events to benefit tsunami relief that all began with one student's desire to help.

Kim Spahn approached the university administration about doing something to help the people of southern Asia. The athletics department was the first to step up to the plate, and on January 10th, the Loyola Marymount/University of San Diego basketball game became the first official university fundraiser.

The effort brought in $2000 from a combination of ticket sales, concession stand profits, and donations collected at an Oxfam information table. The fundraiser was also mentioned on FOX Sports West Coast, which broadcast the game.

The event's success led to the creation of the Tsunami Relief Committee (TRC), a group of representatives from university service organizations, the Greek community, student government, and other campus clubs. The Committee has already co-sponsored a January 15th dance that raised $2700.

Other events planned include:

a Tsunami Relief Day at the student-run coffee house, where Fair Trade Sumatra coffee—which comes from the tsunami-affected region—will be featured
a Poker Night co-sponsored by the Resident Housing Association, with admissions benefiting tsunami survivors
the sale of blue "Hope" bracelets in a rare partnership with Loyola Marymount's bitter rival, Pepperdine University

"We hope to sustain the Tsunami Relief Committee through the end of the spring semester," said Spencer Johnston, a Loyola CHANGE leader. "Then we'll keep the group active, diverting its attention to other crises around the world. We want to keep people motivated and pursue issues that don't get the media attention that the tsunami has received."