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Also included in the night's events were a Palestinian folkloric song by Eman Hamad and a short video titled Gaza Calling by filmmaker Adam Shapiro. An exuberant crowd of over 300 people came out for this spectacular night of poetry and solidarity with the 1.5 million people suffering in Gaza.
Who Benefited?
Poets for Gaza raised enough money to enable UPA to ship thousands of desperately needed blankets, mattresses, and warm articles of clothing for the tens of thousands of refugees who have fled yet again in search of a safe haven for their families and loved ones.
What Are Organizers Saying?Organizer Remi Kenazi made several suggestions for others wishing to hold fundraising events for Gaza.
"Even if other people are putting on an event, still do your own if you think you can bring out a crowd. Multiple effective events are better than one. Coordinate with universities. That is probably the one most important thing. Most of us poets, actors, comedians, musicians are either full time or trying to be full time, and universities can easily fill the financial void: travel, lodging and honorariums."
—Remi Kenazi
"Get a good size space. Promote early. Be economical, but don't be afraid to invest money. If you have to pay for a space, but can fit twice as many people than the free space someone offered you, put up the money -- chances are it'll work heavily in your benefit."
"Have people strictly at the door, essentially blocking it, so people don't slip through. Do a suggested donation (we did $20) for what you think most people can afford or would be willing to put in (the higher end events obviously go for a lot more money). Put together an entertaining event--even if it's a dinner or banquet...try to mix in poetry, music etc. (the reason this is so important is that you want people to come to the next one or come to one when Gaza or Palestine isn't taking over the headlines). Don't just do a cover price at the door."
"Do a raffle and a silent auction. Make sure that you get as many, if not more, auction items that are "non-Arab" (most of us have an argile, a kuffiyeh etc.). Also sell novelty items: pins, wristbands, kuffiyehs etc: they add up a lot. Also, if it's a entertainment style event, don't be afraid to send around a basket. We literally made as much in sale items, silent auction, book sales (all the profit from Poets For Palestine went to UPA that day), and extra donation in the baskets equaled the amount we took in at the door (i.e. $4,000)."
"Even if other people are putting on an event, still do your own if you think you can bring out a crowd. Multiple effective events are better than one. Coordinate with universities. That is probably the one most important thing. Most of us poets, actors, comedians, musicians are either full time or trying to be full time, and universities can easily fill the financial void: travel, lodging and honorariums."
"And if a student group(s) puts it on, all they have to do is file the paperwork (which is a pain, but that's what kids in student groups go through) and they can get a space and x amount dollars given by the university to put the show on, feed the guests if it's a dinner, and pay for all the costs of performers if it's entertainment. They would then charge a suggested donation at the door and 100 percent of the proceeds would go to UPA and they would be putting on an amazing event. I've been at student shows where they've raised $10,000-$15,000 without breaking a sweat ($5,000 is considered great for a show put on by community activists where suggested donation is $20). The other way to raise great money is doing the high end banquets where tickets cost $100 -- but those take a lot of planning."
