Mane Event has always been a way to give something back to the students. This year, it will be a chance to give back to the community as well.
During the event, held from 3 p.m.-7p.m. today, there will be a shot bar on the North Quad that expects a little more than the traditional I.D. from students. Participants will be asked to support the Southwest Transplant Alliance by signing up to be an organ donor in order to receive a free “mocktail,” or non-alcoholic cocktail. The booth, sponsored by senior corporate communication and public affairs majors Alex Wolfe and Rebecca Panoff, is part of a project, “Take a Shot to Save a Life.”
“Students should stop by the shot bar because it is a very convenientand fun way for them to reduce the national shortage of donated organs, which currently causes 3,000 people to lose their lives each year,” Wolfe said.
True to this year’s theme, “Wild on SMU,” once patrons complete a card, they will have a selection of non-alcoholic cosmopolitans, margaritas and screwdrivers.
Panoff said that the shot bar will be located in the middle of all the action. It is her hope that when students call family to tell them about how their day went, it will also be an opportunity to start a dialogue about organ donation.
Wolfe and Panoff hope that at least 100 people will fill out donation cards at the booth.
“We look at each individual as another opportunity to save a life,” Wolfe said. “One donor can produce several donations, and thus provide several people with the transplants that they so badly need.”
Campus Events Chair of Student Foundation and co-producer of Mane Event, Courtney Reilly, is excited about Wolfe and Panoff’s participation this year. She said not only is it impressive that their theme fits Mane Event so well, but also that it is raising campus awareness for an important cause.
Reilly plans to fill out a donation card.
Mane Event 2003, co-sponsored by Student Foundation and Program Council, has been in the planning stages since November. The event that took the place of the Block Party, which had replaced Peruna’s birthday party, is a way for students to get together and unwind for some free fun before finals.
Vertical Horizon will be taking the stage at 6 p.m., but entertainment will start at 3 p.m. with bands including Starlit, The Inner Circle, Poison Cherry and Zayra, Reilly said.
Entertainment won’t be limited to performers, but will also include several activities. There will be a giant slide, inflatable obstacle course, rock climbing wall, oxygen bar, caricature artist and mechanical bull.
In the event of rain, Mane Event will be held in Moody Coliseum.
