Students organize charity ball

Last semester, College sophomore Kirsten Bartok traveled to Maine to visit her father many times. She wanted to see him because he was suffering from lung cancer. So when Wharton sophomore Jonathan Rodbell suggested the idea of a Benefit Ball to raise money for the American Cancer Society, it grabbed Bartok's attention, not only because of her personal connection with the disease, but also because cancer is the number one killer of women and the number two killer of men in the United States. Rodbell was interested in planning a benefit for this year, but he said he realized that he would not be able to do all the work alone. Bartok said she was eager to plan the event, and over Winter Break, Bartok and Rodbell contacted lawyers, caterers and places for the benefit to be held. Within two weeks, all of their hard work had paid off. The First Annual PENN Against Cancer Benefit Ball for the American Cancer Society was no longer just an idea. It had become a reality. "Here at Penn, people get caught up with their academics," Rodbell said. "But this gives people a chance to go out and have fun and also be able to help support a good cause." The Benefit Ball will be held on Thursday, February 27 in The Grand Rotunda at The Shops at Liberty Place. The donation for the evening is $30 per person. The ball will feature an open bar, appetizers and musical entertainment by Silver Sound from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. Bartok stressed that black tie is optional. "The emphasis is much more on getting people to come to the event than on wearing a black tie," Bartok said. The two also said that this will not be a date function. This is a private event, which is not affiliated with the University or any other University group. Bartok said that everyone is encouraged to attend the Benefit Ball. "Right now, we're focusing on the Penn community, but eventually we hope to work with alumni," she said. Because the event is being billed as the first annual benefit, Bartok and Rodbell hope to see it continue year after year. "We'd like to see this continue. That is contingent on success this year," Rodbell said. "More important than that, we'd like to raise a lot of money for cancer research." With the help of a committee made of more than 30 people, Bartok and Rodbell will deliver tickets to peoples' residences upon request. Bartok and Rodbell expect over 400 people to attend the Ball. Tickets will be sold on Locust Walk today and Friday. Ticket sales end Sunday, and checks should be made out to Penn Against Cancer. Anyone interested in purchasing tickets or volunteering for the event should call Bartok at 222-7256 or Rodbell at 222-7565.

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