Big Red Relief was founded in 2005 as a response to the devastating South Asian Tsunami disaster. 

 

It aimed to raise awareness and funds for the victims by uniting Cornell's many student performance groups.  Seventeen student organizations came together in Barton Hall for an audience of 600. The proceeds from  the concert amounted to $10,000 and were donated to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), as a contribution of the Cornell Community for the relief of Tsunami victims. 

 

The 2006 Big Red Relief Concert again benefited UNICEF, this time to help children victims of wars. Our audience grew from 600 to 850 and our proceeds from $10,000 to $12,000. In addition, Kimmie Weeks,  acclaimed children's rights activist and UNESCO ambassador, opened the concert with a speech highlighting the plight of children caught in conflicts around the world. UNICEF honored our organization with their award for "Highest University Contribution of the Year." Both Cornell's then President Hunter Rawlings as well as the  President of the Class of 2006, Michael Zuckerman, mentioned Big Red Relief as "one of the greatest Cornell events of the year". 

 

This year's event will gather even more students and many of the greatest talents on campus including Cornell Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Music Ensemble (CMEMME), Cayuga's Waiters, Teszia Belly Dance Troupe, Bhangra and many others. For our cause, we are raising awareness for the victims of Darfur, and donating all proceeds to the World Food Program's Darfur mission. With our new co-sponsor, Cornell University Programming Board, we are bringing the founder of the World Food Program, ex-senator and presidential candidate, Mr. George McGovern. He will speak in Statler Hall two days before the event, and will open the concert via a videotaped speech.