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Brandeis University's Community Newspaper — Waltham, Mass.

Union President and others jailed Wednesday to fundraise for Relay

Published: November 4, 2011
Section: Features


“I’ll let you send the next Union e-mail! Well, not the next official one, but I’ll let you send an e-mail saying you helped most in bailing me out … with a YouTube video or something,” Student Union President Herbie Rosen ’12 shouted to anyone who would listen.

“I’m the new Chief Justice and I’ll make sure you get impeached. Bail ME out,” Shirel Guez ’12 quickly retorted as Director of Public Safety Ed Callahan watched, looking remarkably similar to a protagonist in an old detective film.

“I just want to make your lunch,” Marie “The Sandwich Lady” Martin pleaded.

Rosen, Guez and Martin were joined by Marc Eder ’12, Kelly Ethier ’13, Jason Dick ’14 and Professor Tom Pochapsky (CHEM) in the purple crepe paper prison, calling out to passersby in the Shapiro Campus Center atrium on Wednesday. By calling out for bail money (or donations to keep others in), the group hoped to raise money for and awareness of this year’s Relay For Life, to be held March 17 in Gosman Sports and Convocation Center.

The event was the first of its kind for Brandeis Relay For Life efforts and raised more than $1,400, organizer and Survivorship Committee Chair Alison Fink ’12 said. Fink organized the event with Ari Boltax ’14, choosing people from various groups and clubs on campus to maximize word-of-mouth advertising.

“We really appreciated people volunteering for the event and participating,” Fink said. “We couldn’t have done it without them! I am so happy we raised so much money in just two hours.”

The money is a first step toward the group’s goal of $75,000 after raising $65,000 last year, Relay For Life Event Chair Hannah Katcoff ’12 said.

Jail and Bail followed the Relay For Life Kickoff, a coffeehouse in Chum’s Tuesday night. Performers that included Saz.E and Starving Artists attracted enough people that 20 signed up for Relay For Life at the reduced registration fee of $5, compared to the usual $10.

“We weren’t focusing on fundraising at the coffeehouse,” Event Co-Chair Rachael Pass ’13 said. “It was just the kickoff, but a lot of people showed up who were really excited for Relay and our upcoming fundraising events.”

At the coffeehouse, the committee also started selling tickets for Rumba, the International Club’s replacement for Pachanga. Relay For Life is cosponsoring the event Nov. 12, which will feature 5 & A Dime and other performers. All proceeds will benefit Relay For Life and tickets are $5 in advance and $7 the night of the event.