UC Berkeley News
Press Release

UC Berkeley Press Release

UC Berkeley students hold tsunami relief efforts

– More than 35 student groups at the University of California, Berkeley, are joining forces to raise money for tsunami relief. Proceeds from "A Hope for Recovery," a series of events to be held on campus next week (Feb. 6-12), will be given to UNICEF.

Student groups on Sproul Plaza are already selling light blue wristbands that read "Hope for Recovery" for a $1 or $2 donation. The wristbands, modeled after the popular bright yellow Lance Armstrong "LiveStrong" wristbands, are the brainchild of two UC Berkeley students who are members of Indus, an Indian student group, and several of their friends at other colleges. The group formed ahopeforrecovery.org, bought 10,000 of the wristbands at 50 cents each, and plans to sell them at approximately 28 colleges nationwide through affiliated student groups. All proceeds from the wristband sales will be given to UNICEF, according to Indus member Tejas Narechania.

Other student groups are selling light blue ribbons for donations of 50 cents or more. The campus's fraternities and sororities are holding a competition to see which of them can raise the most money, as are the student housing cooperatives. The residence halls are holding various events, including a dance, to raise funds.

Next week's events include:

Monday, Feb. 7, Sproul Plaza, noon to 1 p.m.
A panel of student speakers will address how the tsunami affected them. They will include ASUC President Misha Leybovich, Lakshmi Sridaran and Anurag Pandit.

Tuesday, Feb. 8, Sproul Plaza, 7-9 p.m.
A candlelight vigil will be held, with a slide show of scenes from tsunami-affected areas. An open microphone will allow students to discuss the tragedy, and the national anthems of affected countries will be played.

Wednesday, Feb. 9
In an event called "Tsunami Reflections," students will use several large displays of black poster board and chalk placed around campus to publicly display their thoughts.

Thursday, Feb. 10, Pauley Ballroom, 6-9 p.m.
A $10-a-plate charity dinner will feature performances by campus dance groups representing affected regions.

Friday, Feb. 11, Lower Sproul Plaza, 5-7- p.m.
A charity concert will feature local bands Urban Achievers and Solari as well as speeches from students directly affected by the tsunami, including Darlene Poluan, Lea Kreidie and Tanya Egodage. The concert is free, but donations will be accepted.

Saturday, Feb. 12, Sproul Plaza, 10 a.m.-noon
A memorial 5K run begins and ends at Sather Gate and will be followed by a concert featuring local bands.

Among the organizations sponsoring the events are ahopeforrecovery.org, American Medical Students Association, American Red Cross, Arab Student Union, Asian American Association, Asian Pacific American Law Students Association, Asian Pacific American Student Development, Asian Pacific Council, Asian Political Association, Associated Students of the University of California, Associated Students of the University of California Student Union Program Entertainment and Recreation Board, Association of South Asian Political Activists, Bears for UNICEF, Berkeley Indonesian Student Association, Cal Democrats, CalPIRG, Chinese Student Association, Delta Phi Epsilon, Haas Business School Association, Hindu Student Council, Indian Students Association, Indus, Informal Debate Society, Inter-Fraternity Council, Israel Action Committee, Latin American Student Association, The Movement, Muslim Student Association, Nikkei Student Union, Panhellenic, Poetry for the People, Residence Hall Assembly, Satrang, Sikh Students Association, South Asian Health Association, Southeast Asian Student Coalition, Sri Lankan Student Association, Student Legal Clinic, Taiwanese American Student Association, Under One Roof, and University Students' Cooperative Association.

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