The Student Union raised $2,000 to help rebuild the Macedonia Church of God in Christ, a predominantly black membered church in Springfield, Mass., after it was burned down on Election Day in what was thought to be an act of racism, Union Director of Campus Advocacy Andrew Hogan '11, who coordinated the effort, said. The Student Union tabled in the Usdan Student Center and in Sherman for two weeks and also held a fundraising dinner last Saturday night. Hogan said approximately 170 students attended the dinner, which raised about $1,700 on its own. Hogan said he plans on sending the check this week to Morrison Mahoney LLP, the law firm that is handling the church's rebuilding efforts.

Bryant Robinson Jr., the bishop of the Macedonia Church, attended the dinner and spoke to students about his experience watching the church burn down. "The bishop gave a very moving speech about what it was like to experience [one's] place of worship burn down in flames," Hogan said, adding that he was "grateful" for the bishop's attendance. "[Robinson] added a personal aspect to the event. The students at the dinner could see where their money was going and how it was being used to help people," Hogan said.

The all-you-can-eat buffet was catered by various Waltham restaurants such as Cappy's Pizza & Subs, the Chateau, New Mother India, Baan Thai, Margaritas, the Tuscan Grill, Taqueria Mexico, Angelo's House of Pizza, Café Angelina's and Waltham Pizza. The restaurants donated the food, enabling the Student Union to give all the money raised to the rebuilding efforts. "It is nice to help other people; we donated the food because we knew it was going to a good cause," said Cappy's manager Paul Migos.

The student a cappella groups VoiceMale and Starving Artists performed at the dinner, as did the So Unique step team and the musical group Mochila.

Students who attended the dinner were very enthusiastic about the Student Union's fundraising efforts. "I think this was a really good idea, and the money raised will definitely help make a difference," Amber Jackson '11 said.

"I think that with all of the struggles and decisions that are going on at Brandeis, this event really shows why Brandeis is special," Hogan wrote in an e-mail to the Justice. "After a hate crime like this, Brandeis University is overflowing with students who want to help. The fact that we exceeded expectations for this event does not suprise me," he explained after saying last week that he expected to raise $1,000 at the dinner. "That's the way the Brandeis community is," he wrote.