Kiss-a-thon held Saturday

Heart-pumping music, flashing strobe lights and an enthusiastic sign welcomed “Sealed with a Kiss” attendees Saturday, hosted by Revitalizing Animal Well-Being. \nRAW, a student animal advocacy organization, occupied The Lodge on Sixth and Walnut streets to raise awareness and funds for animal advocacy and against Canada’s annual commercial seal hunt. Other organizations that contributed to the cause were the OUT GLBT Student Union and the Humane Society. RAW co-founder and co-president Courtney Wennerstrom said about 100 people, mostly students, attended the event.\n“It’s great to raise funds for the humane society,” said sophomore Elizabeth Herlihy, a RAW member. “People will donate if they are aware of the problem.” \nThe night kicked off with a not-so-routine “spin the bottle” game created by OUT. Circling around a glass bottle, participants spun the bottle hoping it would land on another person of the same sex. If it did, the spinner won a free raffle ticket. \n“We have a ton of prizes,” said Deborah Strickland, co-founder and co-president of RAW. \nApart from game prizes, raffle tickets were sold as a means to raise money throughout the night. \nRaffle prizes included a variety of gift certificates, a free hair cut and a Swiss Army backpack, among other rewards. RAW members also offered free food and drinks. Hershey’s Kisses and other chocolate candies decorated each table. \nAttendees could snuggle up in the “Cozy Corner,” which included a couch with blankets and pillows reiterating the passionate theme of the night and RAW’s new style of animal advocacy.\n“We’re representing what’s young and cool,” Herlihy said. “It’s cool to spread that around.” \nOUT member and freshman Julia Napolitano is optimistic about RAW’s mission. \n“It’s a great idea and I hope it’s a success,” she said. “I hope more people will get involved.” \nAdvocates also had the opportunity to partake in another familiar, yet slightly altered, childhood game, “Pin the Kiss on the Seal.” Participants had to place their lips as close to the seal’s mouth on the poster as possible.\nA room draped with lip and heart cut-outs, streamers, balloons and continuous music created an atmosphere of people coming together for a good cause. RAW members enjoyed the scenery in black shirts that said “I kiss for seals.” \n“People seem to be having a really good time,” Strickland said. “I’m really impressed with how much people are willing to contribute.”\nIn addition to raising money and awareness, the RAW organization may have bulked up after the event by adding new members, Wennerstrom said. \nThere is still a chance to donate to RAW or fill out a petition to stop the Canada annual commercial seal hunt. Anyone can go to the RAW Web site, www.indiana.edu/~iuraw/, or contact any of the RAW officers for more information and opportunities, Wennerstrom said. \n“Sealed with a Kiss” served as a stepping stone into what RAW hopes will become a stronger issue at hand, Wennerstrom said. \n“I think it takes a long time to bring about cultural change,” she said. “And I think it was a step in the right direction.”