Spring Break
Habitat for Humanity hosts student benefit concert
Anisha Madappa
Issue date: 3/6/09 Section: News
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The joint effort was recognized by everyone, according to Tim Plunkett, WKDU's assistant manager and Habitat for Humanity's HabiJam chair, said.
"Even the Campus of Office Activities said that [all the student organizations] working together was a first," Plunkett said.
The collaboration of the four Drexel groups was shown throughout the weeks leading up to the event and at the event itself. Drexel's MAD Dragon Records promotions division, MADKo Concerts, promoted the concert by hanging up flyers and handing out free give-aways at basketball games. Drexel's late night musical entertainment show, Late Night Series, provided HabiJam with technical support during the show. And Drexel's commercial-free radio station, WKDU 91.7 FM, broadcasted the concert.
Organizers of HabiJam wanted to bring all the Drexel groups together to show students what teamwork can do.
"It's cool, because anyone can join any of these groups and [by us joining together, it] shows Drexel students that they can make a difference," Plunkett said.
None of the groups were hired to help out for the concert and decided to help out on their own accord.
"It's a really good cause," Rich Mancinelli, president of MADKo Concerts, said. "And we thought we could bring something new to the table."
This was the second annual HabiJam for Humanity benefit concert and the difference was the size of the event.
"Everything was bigger. The venue was bigger and the bands were bigger, well known local Philadelphia bands." Dustin Ingram, executive director for Habitat for Humanity, said.
The eclectic mix of progressive rock from "The Color Karma," the unconventional orchestration from "West Philadelphia Orchestra," hip-hop jams from "The Last Emperor," and occasional Nintendo theme song covers from "Agent Moosehead" made for a melting pot of music that encompassed every genre.
During the concert, signatures were collected on 2x4s as a physical petition for the Global Poverty Act. This act requires that the president develop and implement a strategy to reduce global poverty. The physical petition will be sent to Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) as evidence that Americans want this act to be passed.
"All the bands are playing for free. All the people helping out are doing it for free. I'm planning the concert, and I'm still paying to get in." Plunkett said. "But we do it because it's a really good cause."
All the proceeds of the concert went to Salem County Habitat for Humanity, Delaware Valley Habitat for Humanity and Philadelphia Habitat for Humanity.
One of the projects that a significant amount of the proceeds went to was "Kim's house." "Kim" is a local Philadelphian mom whose daughter has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. Currently, "Kim's house" is not wheelchair accessible and "Kim" must lift her daughter up flights of stairs to get her to their home. With Drexel's donation, her new house will be wheel accessible and "Kim" will be able to take care of her daughter easier.
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