Miami Quarterly

Issue date: 2/9/09 Section: 5 Questions

On April 3, Miami University will be a little more colorful. Students will be wearing red clown noses, but they aren't trying to be funny. Miami's chapter of Red Nose Day Organization began two years ago, and Director Supal Desai sat down with MQ to talk about their upcoming celebration.


MQ: What is Red Nose Day Organization?

Desai: It's an event that was started by Comic Relief back in the UK. What they do is every two years they have a charity event where they sell red noses for a pound. The money raised goes towards poverty in Northern Africa and also parts of the UK. We brought that to Miami University and put our little spin on it. We donate to the Oxford Food Pantry. We sell red noses for two dollars. This is a way of spreading awareness about poverty in Butler County and in Ohio.

MQ: When is Miami's Red Nose Day and what events are occurring?

Desai: On April 3, we will be having a concert and will be teaming up with other multicultural organization. We will begin selling red noses starting Monday, March 30. We are going to begin publicizing the event two weeks before by putting red dots everywhere.

MQ: What are your goals for Miami's Red Nose Day?

Desai: We are hoping to raise $5,000 on this year's Red Nose Day. But our main goal is to raise awareness about poverty in Butler Country. Many people do not really see it. Our theme this year is "Local Act With a Global Impact." We want to talk about global poverty, but we want to tie this in with our local actions. To spread awareness we are working on a documentary with M.A.F.I.A. that we hope to have on the Miami channel the week of Red Nose Day.

MQ: How does your organization work?

Desai: Our organization is made up of directors and general body members. We do not have an actual body president because we believe everyone should be empowered and should be a leader. It is mandatory for all directors to serve at the pantry, but most of them serve on their own. General members are also involved, we try to go to the pantry once or twice a semester if not more.

MQ: How can people become involved in the organization?

Desai: To become a general body member, people can come to our meetings. For directors, we have applications to become a director. The current board of directors come together and hand select individuals to be appointed.

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