Comic Relief seeks funds

Stand-Up Against Homelessness held a breakfast to raise corporate sponsorship for its second annual Philadelphia Comic Relief Comedy Show, yesterday at the White Dog Cafe. The meeting was highlighted by the appearance of Bob Zmuda, president and creator of Comic Relief. Stand-Up, which was founded two years ago by College senior David Rubin, invited representatives of 18 corporations to attend the breakfast, and urged them to support its April 23 show. Rubin, co-coordinator of Stand-Up, said that while the focus of the sponsorship has shifted from the local to the corporate level over the past year, he is still counting on local and student support. He hopes that corporate support will enable him to expand the event, raise more money, and lower ticket prices. Rubin added that the proceeds from this year's event will go to Philadelphia Health Care for the Homeless Program, an organization composed of nurses, physicians and social workers. The money will increase the number of mental and physical health care services available to the homeless population of West Philadelphia, including drug and alcohol treatment. The event, co-coordinated by College junior Jason Adler and Wharton senior Mark Wallace, will be promoted at many of the nearby academic institutions, including Drexel University, Haverford College and Temple University. Rubin said this was a part of Stand-Up's attempt to establish a city-wide effort centered at the University. In his speech to the participants, Zmuda talked about the founding of Comic Relief eight years ago and its accompanying success. After holding four HBO specials and raising $15 million, the program is still running strong, Zmuda said. Zmuda refused to name the comedians for this year's national event, saying that they will be announced next Friday. The reaction to yesterday's breakfast was overwhelmingly positive. Zmuda was especially impressed by the efforts of such student coordinators. "I'm speechless," Zmuda said. "There are many college campuses today that are apathetic. It's refreshing to see that they have their heads in the right place." He also noted that Stand Up would receive the full support of the national Comic Relief. "Due to the success of last year's Stand-Up for the Homeless, we decided to show our support for them this year," he said. "We didn't know how they were going to pull it off last year, but they did one hell of a job." Working with 1991 College graduate Neil Schur, Engineering senior Robert Inerfeld, 1991 Wharton graduates Lerone Sidberry and G. Thomas Reynolds, Rubin created Stand-Up as part of a fraternity social action project. Last year's star-studded lineup included MTV veejay Colin Quinn, and Saturday Night Live members Adam Sandler, Rob "Making Copies" Schneider, and David Spade. PHMC used the proceeds to treat local drug-addicted mothers and educate their children. The show was sponsored by Comic Relief, Kappa Alpha Psi and Tau Epsilon Phi.