Question: with so many outlets for activism and fundraising, how can college students actually make a difference in the fight against modern day slavery?
Answer: Trivia Night!
That’s what Seth Nydam and Robert McKinnon Wilkes have been doing in Pullman, Washington – home of Washington State University.
It started early this year, when Seth and Robert saw FTS Co-founder Kevin Bales lecture on campus. They were inspired, and decided to take action. They transformed a weekly trivia night at a local pub into an event that helps people take a stand.
“Every week we take the opportunity to raise awareness,” says Robert, “and remind folks that we have a role to play in attempts at eradication.”
And donate! So far, Trivia Night at Rico’s Public House has raised a total of $1,171 for Free the Slaves.
If you like Seth and Robert’s idea, here are some steps you can take to create your own philanthropic trivia night:
- Check your local pub to see if they sponsor a nonprofit and if their schedule would allow them to donate to FTS.
- Talk to the pub management. Seth and Robert manage the trivia night at Rico’s, but they were sure to approach the manager to make sure the change in donation recipient was acceptable.
- If the trivia night does not currently donate to an organization, approach management and see if they are open to the idea. Ask if you can set up a donation box and have people put in spare change and dollars. Every little bit helps!
- Be sure that either yourself or the trivia host provides a quick background on FTS during trivia night. Keep it short and personal – why does the cause matter to you, and why should others care about it too?
- Send donations to Free the Slaves at 1320 19th St, NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036. Hint: sending in a check is easiest, so designate someone to deposit the donations in his or her account and then write out a check to FTS.
To use Seth and Robert’s words: “Slavery can end. We can help.”
FTS Anti-Slavery Trivia Night in Pullman, WA
To start a campus chapter at your college or high school, check out our student page on the FTS website.
