Students take on campus ‘nearly naked’ for charity

James Lanham and Christopher Veneracion, scantily clad in superhero underwear briefs and sporting headbands, stocking caps and nipples painted in shapes of stars, strutted with poise and confidence on East Seventh Street toward Dunn Meadow.
“I can already hear it (the music),” Lanham said as he approached.

The two sophomores were among the estimated 2,500 students participating in the annual IU Homecoming kickoff of the Nearly Naked Mile, a benefit that donates all proceeds to United Way. 

United Way serves underprivileged people in the areas of education, earnings and essentials. The organization is supported by 25 local agencies.

“I’m just going to get sexy with it,” Lanham said.  “I’m not just going to get naked. I’m going to get dirty, too.”

“I’m going to show more skin than I probably should be showing,” Veneracion said alongside his friend before the event.

The two donated bundles of clothing to cover their admission price of $10 for the event. Participants had the option to either pay the admission price or donate clothing, which was given to United Way.

IU Student Alumni Association’s vice president of philanthropy Kathleen Fennessy stood behind the long line of tables. Fennessy, along with the help of volunteers, was in charge of coordinating the event.

“It’s probably the most unique philanthropy event,” Fennessy said. “It’s hard to get students to donate time and money, especially when they have so little of both.”

The time was 8:50 p.m. A massive flood of students surrounded the DJ stage as fists pumped, speakers shook and shirts swung in the air. The Nearly Naked Mile was set to start within ten minutes.

The race took students around Dunn Meadow, leading to Showalter Fountain, then near Ballantine Hall and finally finished at the Sample Gates.

Students of all kind showed up to bare some skin and run for charity. Senior Laura Schultz hobbled her way through the crowd of students alongside her friends, dancing as best she could while her crutches supported her.

“It (the run) might be kind of long and slow, but I’ve never run the Nearly Naked Mile before, so I had to do it this year, no matter what,” Schultz said.