By Laura Stork, Staff Writer
The International Justice Mission’s Awareness Week rocked last Thursday during the Jam For Justice fundraiser, which showcased seven bands. Members of the campus chapter of IJM sold refreshments and T-shirts and allowed students to donate money.
Andrea Gallman, IJM co-chair, said she didn’t count how many students attended but guessed about 200 people came and went throughout the event.
“We expected people to be coming and going,” said Gallman, junior social studies and education major from Sugar Land. “Though, more people came than I expected.”
Attendees could purchase 25-cent candy and refreshments. The students also sold IJM T-shirts during the concert, selling out within the first hour.
“Shirt sales were huge,” Gallman said. “Between shirts and refreshments, we raised a lot of money.”
More than $800 was raised from T-shirt and snack sales, as well as from donations.
She said few people chose to write a donation check to IJM, but many donated in other ways, like giving $10 bills to buy a $5 T-shirt or a $1 when purchasing a less expensive candy bar.
Clad in Scarlett, Winner’s Blues, Smoky & The Second Set, Jennifer Fuentes, Death by Space Laser, At Fever Pitch and Homer Hiccolm & The Rocket Boys performed at the event.
“It was good because we had a variety of styles represented,” Gallman said. “Not all one sound.”
While many students stayed to listen to several bands, many expressed their interest in the final band-Homer Hiccolm & The Rocket Boys.
Brandon Kinder, lead singer and guitarist for Homer Hiccolm, said they agreed to play at the event because it was for a good cause.
“We wanted to bring in a lot of people to donate money,” said Kinder, senior history major from Memphis, Tenn.
And they did.
Vikki Chaffin, senior family consumer science major from Haslet, said she came to see Homer Hiccolm because her friends perform in the band.
“I support the cause, but I’m here tonight to support my friends,” said Chaffin, who thought it was a fun event.
Kim Craddock, freshman electronic media major from Atlanta, also said she attended the concert to see a friend play in Homer Hiccolm.
Craddock said while the event didn’t raise her awareness about injustice, she did buy an IJM T-shirt.
“Whatever gets people there, ” Gallman said. “I hope they were interested enough to seek out more information. Now they know we exist. That’s how you get people involved.”
IJM was developed in 1997 to respond to millions of instances of injustice and abuse around the world. The members help people who are suffering injustice and oppression but cannot rely on local authorities for relief.
Jam For Justice was one of the many activities IJM sponsored during Awareness Week.
IJM members set up a table in the Campus Center, giving out information and selling T-shirts and another in the Campus Store, highlighting books about justice issues.
Concluding the week, IJM conducted the second annual Run For Justice on Saturday, using the donation and registration money to purchase legal assistance for victims of injustices.
Gallman said she is involved with IJM because she is passionate about justice.
“When I first found out about IJM, I felt compelled to do something,” said Gallman, who has been involved for three years. “I wanted to do whatever I could.”
