This is a couple of days late, but I wanted to pass along a note from Aaron Schaer, one of the STOMP student leaders, about the campus events on April 25:
YESTERDAY'S EVENT WAS AWESOME!!! For those of you who couldn't be there, here is a brief description:
Ned and Danielle set up a volleyball net on the sidewalk in front of The Rock, where they hung a sweet banner and a bunch of "Buzzkill" shirts and wristbands (which I still think are cool despite what everyone else says).
We also had a table, some chairs, and some good music (courtesy of Ned). We would have painted The Rock, but another student group (who did not register to have it unlike other groups *cough cough*) painted it and literally were laying down and guarding it in sleeping bags. They were there for the National Day of Silence which signifies the discrimination that gays, bisexuals, and transgendered people face in society (between that, National Malaria Awareness Day, and Earth Day, April 25th is a pretty popular time).
Their cause was definitely a good one, but seeing as none of them were speaking due to it being a "day of silence," I'm not sure how many people they actually reached. Perhaps talking would have been a better strategy...I don't know, that's just my opinion.
Anyways, back to our awesome group. All in all we raised almost $400.
I truly feel that if we had more shirt sizes than just 3XL and youth small, we probably would have sold more. In addition to that, a woman came by who works over at the local middle school and she told us how they also did a Nothing But Nets fund-raiser where they raised over $400, but she wasn't sure what to do with the money now. So, after talking with her for 30 seconds, she has decided to trust us with the money, which she is sending over to Gabe's office in the very near future.
In short, good times were had by all and we've raised enough money to purchase around 80 nets!!! That's at least 80 more people who will be much safer because we spent 5 hours sitting outside and hanging out.
If that doesn't motivate you, check your pulse.
Thank you so much to everyone that helped. A special shout-out to Derek for bringing his bunk bed so that we could display a bed net; Ned for getting the volleyball net, music, basketball hoops, donuts and bagels, and a bunch of other stuff that I'm probably forgetting; Ashley for being there for about 4 hours; Danielle for waking up at the butt-crack of dawn to help set up; and Emily, Emma, and Rachel for being there and just being great. If I'm forgetting anyone, I'm really sorry...but a special shout-out to you as well.
I'm not really sure what STOMP is going to do over the summer, but if the past 3 weeks are a sign of things to come, then we're definitely going to be busy. I'll write everyone again just to stay in-touch and keep you guys informed of anything fun, interesting, or just because I'm bored.
Thank you all again. This couldn't have happened without everyone's efforts. We truly have done a lot for a group that isn't even formally registered yet.
Good luck with finals, and if I don't see you--have a great summer.
Sincerely,
Aaron
P.S. For the graduating Seniors: "Adventure is not in the guidebook, and beauty is not on the map. Seek and you shall find." (Someone who I once went camping with told me that. She is one of the nicest, coolest people I've ever met and at age 32 still has not grown up.
She is also the happiest person I know). Be courageous, be influential, and most importantly, be you! Good luck...and I'm keeping you on the e-mail list.
