The newly formed Tsunami Relief Project (TRP), established to raise funds for victims of the floods in South Asia, has scheduled a variety of fundraising activities that will take place all day long on Saturday, January 15. The TRP has five different events scheduled that will take place throughout the day, attracting students, parents, and other community members. All the proceeds will be donated to aid the many thousands of people throughout South Asia who were affected by the massive tsunami that occurred on December 27, as a result of an undersea earthquake that registered 9.0 on the Richter scale and which took place off the coast of Indonesia.

The day will begin with the TRP Bazaar in the auxiliary gym at 10:00 a.m. This bazaar will consist of a White Elephant sale, as well as a silent auction. Both students and community members are encouraged to donate anything they have in their home that is in good condition that may be sold in the yard-sale-style White Elephant sale, or auctioned off. Craft booths will also be present in the gym, which are sure to have goods and activities that will keep people of all ages interested. The prices of the items up for grabs in the bazaar will vary, but all proceeds will go toward the TRP. This auction will last most of the day, ending at 4:00 p.m. Along with the regular auction, a Senior Class auction may also be held, with senior class members offering to be "sold" to underclassmen for a day. Seniors will provide their various coveted skills to underclassmen, such as being their delivery people during lunches, or carrying their books.

Community members will also be able to enjoy live music as local rising talents rock out in the Battle of the Bands. Students especially will appreciate this activity being held in the auditorium from noon to 3 p.m. This event is free, although donations are very much welcome, with all proceeds going towards the disaster relief fund. Patrons will be able to even have breakfast and lunch at the event as well when the Mustang Café is converted into the TRP Café between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Many different foods will be provided for varying prices, as well as baked goods. Again, students are encouraged to show off their culinary skills by providing different foods to be sold.

After these activities, the TRP Reception will be held in the Mustang Café from 5:30 to 7:00. The reception will consist of students serving patrons hors d’oeuvres and soft drink beverages. Being a charity event, the admission price is $20 for adults, and half the price for students who present their student ID. This reception will be held on a grander scale, with many students expected to help.

The reception will precede the TRP Benefit Show to be held in the auditorium from 7:45 to 9:30. Sure to be a hit among the Falls Church community, as well as the larger Northern Virginia community, this event will stage many acts by performers from George Mason and the International Ballet Academy of Washington, D.C. Along with the International Ballet Academy, there have been talks among principal Bob Snee and school officials from several other schools in the area in order to arrange a multi-school disaster relief effort. Preceding the all-day event on the 15th, there will be a special Tsunami Relief Benefit concert to be held on Monday, January 10, in the auditorium. This concert will feature the Potomac Jazz Orchestra, along with the George Mason Middle and High School Jazz ensembles. Starting at 7:30 pm, there is no price for admission, but donations are highly welcome, with all proceeds and donations being sent to the tsunami relief effort.

Seniors David Oglethorpe and Chad O'Hara ponder different ideas for the Tsunami Relief Project. (Photo: Sara Sugrue)

Today’s meeting for the TRP was the second meeting held so far, and consisted of students signing up for and starting to plan for the different events to be held on the 15^th. Students who weren’t able to attend today’s meeting are encouraged to see Ms. Tooze to sign up for a committee and donate their time and effort into aiding this worthy cause.

English teacher Mrs. Webster’s eyes widened and her mouth formed into a surprised O as she entered the crowded room of the TLC yesterday afternoon for the first meeting. It seemed that she had exclaimed to herself how surprising it was to see so many students come together in such a short time to formulate ideas about aiding in the relief effort of such a dire and devastating disaster.

Several faculty members already had begun discussing possibilities for school, as well as community, relief projects during the winter break. On Dec. 28, faculty members planned that raising one dollar for every tsunami victim was a possibility. On that date there were approximately 25,000 victims, but this number rose six-fold in a matter of five days. Mr. Guy expressed the general sentiment in the meeting when he said "You are becoming involved with something that is bigger than any of us." This was an encouraging statement that stirred the sentiments of both students and staff into doing all they could to raise as much money as possible to help the hundreds of thousands of people affected by the worst natural disaster in generations. Senior Chad O’Hara then expressed the general student sentiment with, "I think we can shoot higher than just $10,000," an amount first suggested by some in attendance.

Many ideas were presented for other fundraising events. For example, a Roast and Rock, benefit concerts with all of the FCCPS schools involved, a dance marathon, and selling spirit bracelets. An international film festival, which the International Club has already planned to do for the beginning of February, was another idea suggested. A school-wide bake sale was suggested, as well as selling backed goods in front of Giant, where a group of children last week raised over $1000 for donating towards the relief efforts. Bake sales in front of Metro stations was suggested as well, as well as a "Taste of the Town" with Falls Church restaurants donating food to the effort.

Mr. Snee expressed how proud he was of Masonites when he talked about the first meeting as students left. "It’s heartening to see such a terrific turnout our first day back to get behind a cause that is entirely focused on the great human tragedy that we’ve all witnessed. George Mason has long had a tradition of compassion and giving, and that spirit was present in the room today. I’m sure we can come up with a record amount of funds for what we all recognize as a most deserving cause." One thing for sure is that this Mason tradition will live on and grow this year.