Jackie O's event to raise money in remembrance of OU student
By Brooke Barron, staff writers
November 12, 2007 | 7:43 p.m.
Everyone has a passion, whether it be sports, careers or community service. Having a passion for reaching out, touching and loving those in need is a infatuation the world needs more of today, more now than ever before.
The Pura Vida Foundation, established in 2005, gives people with this particular passion the opportunity to give aid to those who need it in Latin American countries. Former OU student Madison Anne Barr was a girl who used her compassionate nature to carry out the Pura Vida Foundation’s mission; in her memory, today Nov. 11, students across the OU campus will be able to be a part of Madison’s passion in life.
Madison Anne Barr, a 19 year old junior from Urbana, Ohio, aspired to go into foreign affairs and minor in Spanish. With a compassionate heart she had visited a few Latin countries, including Ecuador. “Madison was a great person who cared about people in an unconventional way, a way you don’t see very often,” said junior Kaily Buemi, best friend and roommate of Barr. Madison Barr passed away on Thursday, Sept. 20, 2007. After her death, her mother, Mary Anne, committed to carrying out Madison’s ambitions of making a difference in the Central and South American communities.
Mary Anne formed an alliance with her hometown’s Urbana Foundation, a foundation based around the hospital in Urbana, which includes members of the Board of Education. Together they took the liberty of helping to raise awareness about the Pura Vida Foundation.
The Pura Vida Foundation is a non-profit organization concentrated on some of the most desperate parts of Latin America. Its mission is to foster healthy and supportable living in selected orphanages, schools and communities. The foundation strives to provide necessities such as basic medical supplies, dependable food supplies and necessary resources to enhance living conditions. It also significantly focuses on education, providing the opportunity for children to attend school. The phrase Pura Vida, which in Spanish means ‘Pure Life,’ has a deep and rich meaning to the people of Latin America, especially in Costa Rica.
“Pura Vida in Costa Rica has a very important meaning,” Buemi said. “It means living life to the fullest and to always be happy, to always have happiness in your life.”
She then proudly rolled up her sleeve to reveal the words “Pura Vida” tattooed across her left wrist. In honor of Madison and her dream of being involved with aiding foreign countries, a fundraiser will be held on tonight, Nov. 11, at Jackie O’s on West Union Street. Doors open at 8 p.m. and admission will initially only be a donations.
Around 9 p.m. there will be a fee of $4 per person. Goodfellas Pizza will be catering sheets of pizza, which will be free on a first come, first serve basis. Local musicians including Jessie Aberidache, Laila Carter, Jessi Wilkes, Dave Morckel and headliner Ryan Goehler and the Barefooted Bootleggers will be playing all night.
Buemi anticipates that all current 110 members of her Facebook group, made in honor of Madison and the event, will attend and hopes the total attendance will be around 250-300 people. Buemi has an ideal goal of raising anywhere from $1200-$1500 that night. All money raised will go directly to the Pura Vida Foundation. Everyone is encouraged to join this memorial fundraiser, celebrating the ambitions of Madison Barr and the Pura Vida Foundation.
If anyone wants to learn more about the event or the Pura Vida Foundation, Buemi is open to answering questions via e-mail. "It will mean a lot to the people that knew her if people show up and support the fundraiser," Buemi said with a smile.