Fairfield University students plan American Red Cross benefit | Press Releases

Teams of Fairfield University students will kick up their heels - and raise much-needed funds for the American Red Cross - at the "Rockin' for Relief Dance-a-thon" on Friday, Dec. 9, in the Oak Room of the Barone Campus Center. Sponsored by the year-old Red Cross Club, the all-night dance will begin at 10 p.m. and concludes at 5 a.m. on Dec. 10.

Student dancers in teams of three to six are seeking sponsors and all proceeds will go to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. The students also hope to get faculty and staff involved.

"This is really our first big project," said sophomore Emily Faherty of Ewing, N.J., who is organizing the event with a committee of about 20 students. "Hopefully, the generosity will surprise us."

Faherty's high school friend, sophomore Joy Polignano of Hamilton, N.J., started the Fairfield University Red Cross Club because she enjoyed volunteering for the Red Cross when she was in high school. With about 40 dedicated members, the club has staged a blood drive with Circle K, a campus service organization, and plans two more this school year.

Sophomore David Guerrera of Watertown, Conn., has volunteered to deejay for the dance-a-thon and the committee is enlisting campus bands to relieve him from time to time over the grueling seven-hour competition. The University and local restaurants and businesses are donating food for the whole event and prizes to be raffled off all night.

To make a donation, send a check payable to American Red Cross to: "Rockin' for Relief," c/o Joy Polignano, Box 2565, Fairfield University, 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield, CT 06824.