With two rapes reported during the first five weeks of school, Graduate Student Senate will call on Buffalo Wild Wings patrons to raise money and awareness.
From 6-8 tonight, GSS will hold a fundraiser at Buffalo Wild Wings. Each patron who mentions GSS will have a percentage of his or her bill donated to the Ohio University Women’s Center.
GSS President Tracy Kelly and Women’s Commissioner Maria Behnke helped plan the event to defray the cost of a Women’s Center lecture last Thrusday, “Men Can Stop Rape,” given by Alex Leslie, a prevention specialist from the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center.
“In order to donate more money for the cause, we would rather hold a fundraiser and raise money than donate out of our budget,” Behnke said.
GSS has been selling raffle tickets and will continue until Wednesday night.
All money from the raffle tickets will be donated directly to the Women’s Center.
GSS reached out to local businesses to donate prizes for raffle winners.
“We had some really great responses with local businesses really willing to donate, knowing it’s going to a great cause,” Behnke said.
There will be prizes from Court Street Coffee, Shell gas station, the Athena Grand, Mountain Laurel Gifts, Follett’s University Bookstore, College Book Store, Leghorn’s Restaurant, Village Bakery & Café, Brenen’s and more, Kelly said.
“All of these sponsors have recognized sexual assault and rape is important on campus and have been very generous towards the cause,” Kelly said.
Behnke said she believes it provides a fun incentive for the event.
“It’s a ticket way for people to donate money and have a chance to win something from a local business,” she said.
GSS has coordinated with Buffalo Wild Wings for events in the past.
“It’s a nice atmosphere, and having the dining-room side with televisions reserved will hopefully encourage people to come out for a great cause,” Behnke said.
The event will serve almost as a capstone to the many sexual-assault awareness programs that happened throughout the month of September, Behnke said.
“We didn’t plan it that way, but sexual-assault prevention doesn’t end with September, and we will hopefully have more events to come throughout the year,” she said.
GSS has been promoting the event through flyers, a Facebook event and speaking with other student groups.
“We want people to feel good about coming in and knowing the money they spend on dinner or raffle tickets is going back to a great cause,” Behnke said.
af234909@ohiou.edu
