UF students will raise money to help children who can’t help themselves Tuesday night.
The UF Invisible Children chapter will host a benefit concert Tuesday at 9 p.m. at The Vault to raise money for Ugandan children affected by rebel war.
Briana Banos, Invisible Children director of events, said she joined the organization because she was searching around campus for a cause she really loved.
Banos planned Tuesday’s benefit concert.
Invisible Children aims to have one benefit concert during the fall and spring semesters.
This concert will have performances by local artists Chad Papa, The Sedoctaves, Jesse Lash and SueliPop. Each artist or singing group will donate their time and performance to the concert to benefit the Ugandan children.
“It’s the best way to make the biggest profit with one event,” Banos said. “It’s a way to not only help local artists but spread awareness in a fun way.”
Banos and other members are pre-selling tickets to the event for $5, and tickets at the door will be $6 for those over 21 and $8 for those under 21.
In past concerts, the organization raised almost $2,000 in spring 2009 and about $1,200 during the fall 2009 event.
Belinda Smith, UF Invisible Children president, explained the reason the chapter is hosting the benefit concert.
The Awere Secondary School in Gulo, Uganda, is the sister school for the UF chapter, meaning funds raised go to benefit Awere.
The school was destroyed during the war and has been displaced for 18 years. The girls’ and boys’ dormitories and science wing still need to be completed, but the school is functional, according to Smith.
Because education in Uganda beyond middle school must be paid for, the UF chapter works toward raising funds to help the children.
“A lot of times it gets really cool because we try to add some sort of education out of it,” she said.
Edward Bennett, the UF Invisible Children vice president, said he is looking forward to the Sedoctaves’ performance because they take requests and it becomes really interactive.
He said there is always a different line up, which makes it interesting.
“Nice we can enjoy ourselves while helping our cause,” Bennett said.
