Forgo the cap and gown, help T-Square

A longer, unedited version of this went out on the Woodframes listserv:

We'd like you to join us in not buying a cap and gown and instead giving that $54.50 to the Traverse Square After-school Program a.k.a. The Center. The Center is one of the only University-sponsored programs aimed at working cooperatively with Middletown's low-income families to improve the quality of life in their communities.

We have informed Marshal of the Faculty and faculty representative for Commencement Suzanne O'Connell of our plans and she assured us that anyone who elects not to wear the cap and gown will still be allowed to walk at Commencement. We can coordinate our attire or you can do your own thing.

Contact Michael Berger '08 (mwberger@wes), Zac Meyer '08 (zmeyer@wes), David Harris '08 (akdiamond@wes), or Alex Diamond '08 (dlharris@wes) for more information.

1st Annual Garnet and Gold Charity Run

Come participate in the 1st Annual Garnet and Gold Charity Run!

When: Saturday, April 12, 2008, 9:30 – 10:45a.m. Registration, 11:00 a.m. Start
What: Charity Run!
Where: Veterans Memorial Park, Middletown, CT (Less than one mile from campus)
How: 10 dollar early registration, 15 the day of. Proceeds will be going to the Eddy Shelter in Middletown, CT
-Link (Psi U Xi)

Donate prom dresses for those without them

Annalee Pratt '08 is organizing another Prom Dress Drive:

I'll be collecting lightly used prom dresses until Thursday, March 27 for the Princess and the Prom Project in Hartford, that will then give them to high school students from surrounding areas that can't buy them on their own. Contact apratt@wes if you have stuff to donate.

• Dresses must be from 2002 to present
• Dresses must be dry-cleaned and on hangers
• Dresses must be prom dresses, formal gowns, or fancy party dresses
• Accessories must be stylish, clean, and in excellent condition

The following are a no-go:

• Garments that are out of style (pre-2002)
• Garments that have not been dry cleaned
• Shoes
• Makeup
• Casual or semi-formal clothing
• Wedding dresses
• Tuxedos or men's clothes

This Christmas, give a gift with meaning!

Disgusted by the rampant consumerism of the holiday season? Don't buy into the story that Jesus lavished PS3s and iPods on his disciples? Want to, maybe, do something good for humanity in general? Well, hey, me too!
This year, in lieu of the traditional Christmas presents, I'm taking what little money I make from my work-study jobs, and making donations to various charities in the names of family members and friends. And you can, too!

To help you find a charity that's both reputable and responsible with your money, I recommend you do some research first. A great place to start is Charity Navigator:

Charity Navigator, America's premier independent charity evaluator, works to advance a more efficient and responsive philanthropic marketplace by evaluating the financial health of America's largest charities.

Oh, and for those who don't celebrate Christmas, word on the street is that charitable donations make excellent gifts for Chanukah, Ramadan (though I think it was in September this year), Kwanzaa, and maybe even your more esoteric holidays!

Gag Reflex Show this Friday

Gag Reflex will be having their first show of the semester this Friday. This will be a special show for two reasons:

1. It will be the first Gag Reflex show ever to have more females in the ensemble than males.

2. You can bring some dollars and cents to donate to Gag member, Jessalee Landfried '07's bike trip for Habitat for Humanity! (Clean out under your bed! Bring a sock full of nickels!).

Jessalee writes:

The show is free, but we'll be collecting voluntary donations to support my ride. I need to raise $2,000 to participate in the bike trip (the other riders need to raise $4,000, but as one of twelve student leaders I'm also charged with planning the entire trip, so my fundraising load is lessened). so far i've raised $1,100, and every little bit extra will help me SO much. Last year, we (the Habitat Bicycle Challenge, that is) raised $430,000 - enough to build eight homes in the new haven area - and we're hoping to do even better this year!

Date: Friday, February 23
Time: 8-9pm
Place: Nic Lounge
Bring: Moneyz for Jessalee (free admission regardless but you should bring the moneyz for Jessalee)