Louisianians typically don’t need an excuse to party, but it’s not every day an opportunity arises where partying and fundraising for charity blend together seamlessly.
In the wake of the tragedy that recently struck Japan, locals are gathering to drink for a worthy cause.
Bogie’s Bar hosted the “Bogie’s Japan Relief Palooza” Wednesday to raise money for the relief effort in Japan.
The “Relief Palooza” was spearheaded by bartender and University alumnus Shota Kamo, who has family living in the Tokyo area of Japan, out of harm’s way.
Kamo said he and his father began spreading the word among their friends about different donation opportunities through text messaging, iTunes and other methods.
Eventually, word reached Aaron Saulnier, Bogie’s owner, who decided to allow Kamo to organize the event.
“I gave Shota the go ahead to try and help as much as possible,” Saulnier said. “He talked about Japanese people who donated money for Katrina relief, and so I decided we ought to have a relief. We’ll donate all of the door money, and I’ll donate $500 on top of that.”
Saulnier left the decision about where the money will go up to Kamo.
“We’ll be donating the money either to the American or the Japanese Red Cross,” Kamo said. “The Japanese Red Cross has promised that all of the donations they receive will go towards people in need.”
In addition to the door money and Saulnier’s personal contribution, Kamo is also donating all the money he made during the night as a bartender, and both Saulnier and fellow owner Clayton Mahaffey promised half of the total income from the evening would go toward the relief effort.
Anyone who missed last night’s palooza but still wants to partake in alcoholic assistance should head downtown Friday night for the Japan Relief Charity Pub Crawl.
Each month Manu Kamat, economics and Spanish senior, hosts the downtown pub crawl to raise money for various charities.
“The whole purpose of starting the downtown pub crawls for me was to find innovative ways to create a self-sustaining charity event,” Kamat said.
Friday’s Pub Crawl is officially sponsored by the Abita Brewing Co., and 100 percent of the proceeds are going to the American Red Cross to benefit Japan.
Student support of the pub crawl online has been strong, and Kamat expects a large turnout.
Madeleine Ricks, marketing sophomore, said these fundraisers are an important and fun way for students to make a difference.
With relatives of her own living in Japan, Ricks felt helpless to assist those in need but said events like these are an opportunity for her and others to help.
“I think that people know it’s a good cause and will do what they can to help,” Ricks said.
 
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Contact Andrew Price at [email protected]