Students partied for a good cause Saturday night, raising $1,200 at a tsunami relief fundraising party hosted by Theta Delta Chi fraternity.
After its members heard news of the Southeast Asian tragedy, Theta Delt reportedly set out to host an event that would benefit relief agencies. Theta Delt Service, Programming and Philanthropy Chair Phil Nodhturft '05 described his fraternity brothers as very enthusiastic about the idea and eager to do as much as they could to help.
"We decided the best way to do that while having a good time was by having a party this weekend. So, each of the brothers donated some money and we had donations at the door at the same time," Nodhturft said.
Instead of the standard pong-and-beer basement party, Theta Delt had an international 'tails night. The fraternity served various mixed drinks from a bar set up on the first floor.
Adam White '05, who collected donations during the party, estimated that most of the 300 students who stopped by the fraternity over the course of the night made donations. White is a columnist for The Dartmouth Mirror.
"We were really pleased with the $1,200," Nodhturft said. "We also want to make sure we thank everyone, hundreds of students. We're very grateful for all the contributions."
The money raised will be donated to Mercy Corps, a humanitarian and emergency relief organization that allocates more than 91 percent of its resources to assisting countries in need. Mercy Corps currently has emergency workers deployed in India, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, where emergency operations are providing shelter, health supplies, water purification materials, food and rebuilding support.
Theta Delt's president, Matt Nicholson '05, was surprised yet pleased by Dartmouth students' generosity and felt optimistic about the impact Dartmouth could make in fundraising for tsunami relief.
"We realize our effort was a small one, but hopefully it raised better awareness of this issue currently affecting so many lives around the world," Nicholson said.
"It would be nice to see other organizations take this idea and run with it because I think there's much more good the Dartmouth community can do in terms of the aid and relief effort," Nicholson said.
