The Tucker Foundation launched a new fundraising campaign for the rebuilding of the structurally unsound Charfassion orphanage in Bangladesh Monday. Green rubber bracelets, stamped with the phrase "Make it Happen," went on sale for $3 at the start of the business day.
Similar to the yellow Live Strong bracelets that recently swept the nation, the green rubber bracelets are the latest in a series of student fundraising attempts for the Bangladeshi orphanage.
Proceeds from the sales of photographs taken by history major and lacrosse player Matt Heineman '05 will also go toward Tucker's Team Taka orphanage fundraising efforts. Heineman's work was the subject of a recent art opening in the Collis Cafe, where students viewed his photos over wine, cheese and crackers.
Tucker Foundation Dean Stuart Lord handles the funds of Team Taka, which is comprised of students dedicated to raising the $260,000 needed to build the orphanage. Lord was the first who suggested that Heineman donate his proceeds for the cause. The Tucker Foundation covers Heineman's cost to produce the photos, and the rest -- about $10 to $20 a picture -- goes directly toward the orphanage's construction.
Heineman was proud of the way his impulse to show his art became an effort to raise funds for a good cause.
"I started out with this idea that I wanted to show my pictures, and it turned into this huge project that ended up benefiting a great cause," Heineman said.
The photos, taken on Heineman's travels through Europe, the Pacific Northwest and the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, sell for $25 to $45. Heineman hopes to raise about $1,500 from his sales to students and through his new website: www.heinemanphotos.com.
"Matt is an extremely talented photographer," customer Lindsey Horton '05 said. "His photos are very powerful in their use of lighting and movement. They are really able to capture the essence of a place."
Heineman said that he is following the lead of his father, who is also a talented photographer.
"I've always been fascinated by wilderness photography," Heineman said. "I feel so fortunate to be out there where it's so gorgeous, and I want to share it with people."
He said he's proudest of his photo "Imagine" taken inside the Crystal Palace in Madrid -- where no photos are allowed.
"The sign was in Spanish, so I had no idea," Heineman said.
He also said his photo "Hail to my Brother," taken in the Olympic National Park in Washington, evoked special memories. His brother had climbed to the top of a huge rock, and Heineman told him to do the "Rocky pose" against the setting sun.
"He was all happy to be up there, and 10 minutes later he couldn't get down," Heineman said, laughing.
Matt Sueoka '04 designed the 15,000 square foot orphanage for 100 Bangladeshi boys as his senior thesis, which spurred the creation of Team Taka. He said efforts like Heineman's are instrumental in spreading awareness among the Dartmouth community.
"I think what he's doing is really part of the grassroots movement that is helping to push our fundraising forward," Sueoka said. "He took something that he really loved and translated it into something that will benefit the greater good."
Sueoka recently co-founded another non-profit organization called the Hopscotch Network, which will throw parties and other fundraising events for young professionals in cities across the country. All proceeds currently will go to benefit the orphanage, but after this year they also plan to aid under-resourced children through local chapters.
