Johannet’s idea was to start an organization that would help kids in the local area with their academic studies. The program, which began with just five tutors three years ago and 18 at the beginning of this semester now has 85 tutors across all classes.

Books and Basketball, a nonprofit organization that travels to several schools around the St. Louis area to help tutor and play recreational games with students, has become extremely popular within the Washington University community.

“It’s an incredibly sustainable program that has tremendous support from the entire student body,” Johannet said. “It’s great to see so many people involved.”

Geared toward providing an academic and fun experience for local youth, Books and Basketball sponsors after school programs at several schools, including Ford and Mullanphy elementary schools. A typical day includes 45 minutes in which tutors help the students with either homework or school-coordinated activities, followed by recreational time in the gym where they play games such as basketball, capture the flag or freeze tag.

“The benefits of gym time carry into the tutoring portion, in which the positive relationships formed help to maintain a level of respect that contributes to successful learning and homework completion,” said junior Emma Liss, a Books and Basketball volunteer.

Books and Basketball has been particularly proud of the tutors’ commitments. Johannet feels that it really makes a positive impact on the kids when they see a familiar face every week instead of a different tutor. Seeing the same person can develop a genuine connection between mentor and student.

“The mixture of tutoring with playtime really helps us foster relationships with these kids that would be impossible if we didn’t spend time with them outside and in the gym,” junior Kate Benedict said.

The growth of Books and Basketball can also be seen in the numerous ways other organizations within the Wash. U. community have been willing to help. Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams have put on clinics for the kids, and the sorority Pi Beta Phi has incorporated the organization into its Champions are Readers program by donating books and choosing occasional newspaper articles for the students to read.

In addition, Books and Basketball recently began working with the Linus Foundation. According to Liss, that partnership will provide important opportunities. The proceeds of Ballin’ with Linus, the fall gala organized by the Linus Foundation in St. Louis, will benefit Books and Basketball. The gala begins at 9 p.m. tonight at the Lumen: St. Louis.

“Our collaboration with the Linus Foundation also provides great opportunities for the future of Books and Basketball,” Liss said. “Their contributions will help us provide exciting tools and experiences for the kids we work with, including school supplies, end-of-the-year parties, and field trips to Wash. U. and elsewhere.”

These events are impressive, and the accomplishments of two recent events demonstrate to us the capacity of our campus to help the community that surrounds it. Last Thursday, Kappa Kappa Gamma held Kappa Karaoke to benefit Lydia’s House, an organization that provides transitional housing for victims of domestic abuse. Then, on Friday night, the Linus Foundation held its semiannual benefit in St. Louis to support a variety of children’s charities. For $40-55, attendees were admitted to the Coronado Ballroom downtown for a benefit party with an open bar.

To date, the Linus Foundation has raised $106,000 through benefit parties for programs that educate and empower underprivileged children in multiple cities across the U.S. Kappa raised $1,700 on Thursday and donated more than 700 used books to children of the women of Lydia’s House. These numbers stand as a testament to the abilities of those who planned these events and a reminder that we, as students, are capable of truly helping the St. Louis community.

Both of these fundraisers have proved immensely popular among students: The Linus Foundation benefit has sold out every year in recent memory, and Kappa Karaoke filled the Gargoyle to capacity each year before moving to the DUC to fit more people for this year’s event. And let’s face it: Both Linus and Kappa Karaoke are a lot of fun, and that’s why we go. The same phenomenon is true of two other extremely successful events on campus: Mr. Wash. U. and Thurtene, and it’s true of most successful fundraisers outside of a college environment.

But while we commend those who work hard to attract students to these events, we feel that student participation in philanthropy shouldn’t end the morning after we attend the Linus Foundation benefit. Charitable fundraisers should serve as a beginning of active participation in philanthropy, not an end. For example, the Linus Foundation helps youth who are less privileged than we are; we can take its mission to heart and begin volunteering through Each One Teach One, Big Brothers Big Sisters or Out Of The Blue.

As a campus full of overachievers, we’re often told that we will soon be leaders in business, academia and politics. With this image of future leadership comes a responsibility to make our first steps into adulthood count, and to do so with active consideration. The money raised by philanthropic events at Wash. U. does fantastic things for our community. But participation in community service benefits those who volunteer in addition to those who receive their efforts. In order reap the benefits of the charity events that Wash. U. students work hard to organize, we need to consider their purposes and understand why we’re giving our money.

Several Washington University seniors started the Linus Foundation in 2002. Committed to the idea that “every child deserves a security blanket,” the foundation began planning events to benefit children’s charities. Seven years later, the foundation has spread and now has branches in nine cities.

This fall’s St. Louis event is called Fallin’ for Linus, and its proceeds will go to local foundations: Together We Can and Lydia’s House. Together We Can is a nonprofit company working to introduce higher standards in early child education, while Lydia’s House provides housing and support to abused women and their children. The party is being held at Neo on Locust, 2801 Locust Ave., and is open to anyone over 21 willing to buy a ticket. In the past the event has attracted around 600 people—alumni, undergraduates and graduate students, as well as anyone who has attended other Linus events.

What’s so great about this fundraiser? First off, it offers an open bar. To ensure safe travels to and from the event, buses will be running between Brookings and Neo all night. Second, it’s a chance to dress up and feel pretty; the event has a cocktail attire dress code. And last but not least, there will be live music and dancing. This year’s band is Boom, and Josh Dembling, a senior organizing the event, has promised that “they will bring the fire.”

But that doesn’t change the fact that a ticket costs $45 if you buy it before Friday and $50 at the door. While that may be an expensive price, just remember that it helps two great causes: charity and your social life.

“There’s no other way to put your money towards a great cause that helps women and their kids and at the same time have a great time,” said Molly Wyler, a senior member of the Linus Foundation.

While our pockets might not be very deep right now, neither are those of nonprofits. “Because of the recession, these charities are not getting any help,” senior committee member Eric Cohen said. The event raised between $2,000 and $4,000 in the past and, given current ticket sales, promises to be just as successful this year.

The four seniors and five juniors helping to plan the event also guarantee that the cost will be well worth it. “Anyone who’s been to the event says it’s one of their favorites of the semester,” senior Therese Fox said.

If you’re interested in attending Fallin’ for Linus, tickets will be on sale Tuesday and Thursday in the DUC or available online at http://www.linusfoundation.org/events.php. Raffle tickets can also be purchased for $2 at the DUC, online or at the event. Prizes include Blues tickets, restaurants gift certificates and even memorabilia autographed by Kings of Leon.

We all know you’re planning to go out Friday night. So instead of the typical frat party, why not go to Fallin’ for Linus and help out some local charities? That way, no matter how bad your hangover is the next morning, you won’t feel guilty about having had an awesome time.