Keep A Child Alive stages AIDS benefit concert Sunday at Funk ‘n’ Waffles

Keep A Child Alive stages AIDS benefit concert Sunday at Funk ‘n’ WafflesNovember 28, 2007Sara Millersemortim@syr.edu

Every year, organizations and individuals around the world unite on Dec.1 to spread awareness about the AIDS epidemic and fight for a solution to this devastating virus. In honor of World AIDS Day, on Sunday, Dec. 2, the Syracuse chapter of Keep A Child Alive will hold a benefit concert at Funk ‘n’ Waffles at 5 p.m. The “Become a Drug Dealer Benefit Concert” features student bands Magic Hour, White After Labor Day and Excuse Me Gunman, and musician Patrick Reilly.

Keep A Child Alive is a national organization dedicated to fighting AIDS in Africa and the developing world by directly engaging the public in fundraising and awareness programs. With 100 percent of the proceeds from the “Become A Drug Dealer Benefit” concert going directly toward providing life-saving antiretroviral (ARV) medications to children and their families, each person who attends the event will “become a drug dealer.” The title of the event comes from Keep A Child Alive’s national campaign, “Become A Drug Dealer,” which is turning heads and gathering attention around the country.

“We’re hoping that the slogan will cause a lot of discussion and buzz on campus,” says Syracuse Chapter of Keep A Child Alive’s president and founder, Katelyn Buress. “The members of our student organization will all be wearing their “I Am A Drug Dealer” T-shirts around campus this week to promote our concert on Sunday.”

The “Become a Drug Dealer” benefit is the second concert event that Keep A Child Alive has held on the SU campus. Last year for World AIDS Day, the Keep A Child Alive chapter was in its first semester as an SU recognized student organization and put on the “Red Rager: Get Angry About AIDS,” which raised more than $300.

The “Become A Drug Dealer Benefit Concert” begins at 5 p.m.; donations of $5 will be accepted at the door. A drawing will be held at the concert, with prizes including DVDs, Starbucks coffee, Keep A Child Alive T-shirts and gift certificates to Pastabilities and Pita Pit.

For more information contact Buress at keburess@syr.edu or (401) 286-0951.