By Kaitlyn Dewell

Multiple businesses in the Aggieville district will be giving the Manhattan population an opportunity to “give back” by hosting a philanthropic party tonight. 

“Party 4 A Purpose,” is an event developed by a small group of Manhattan residents whose goal is to help the college crowd give back to the public in a way it already knows how, using the party scene to collect donations for a charitable mission.

By purchasing a Party 4 A Purpose T-shirt, individuals will receive exclusive food and drink specials from participating Manhattan businesses like Hibachi Hut and several Aggieville Bars. Wearing the T-shirt also grants participants access to over $1,000 in additional prizes, such as gift cards to popular restaurants and items donated by clothing boutiques.

All proceeds from the event will be donated to “Guide On,” a program developed by members of the U.S. military to mentor children of families who have lost one or both parents in combat.

The event originated when Cory Gautereaux, co-director of the Party 4 A Purpose event, hosted a similar event in San Diego where donors attended a charity banquet to benefit Guide On. With the help of Andy Beye, senior in business marketing and manager for Aggieville Bars, the idea to bring the philanthropy to the K-State community was born over a late-night chat. 

Beye said he is excited to have found a way to prove to the public that students can give back when presented with the right opportunities to do so. 

“People think of college kids as almost apathetic to community service,” Beye said. “Our idea isn’t that they don’t care, it’s just that we haven’t been packaging it the right way.”

As a current military serviceman, Gautereaux said he got involved with the cause after a conversation with the founder of Guide On, who told him the story of his best friend who was killed in combat, leaving his two small children behind. 

“Before I talked to him, we were just partying for a purpose,” Gautereaux said. “After I talked to him, it made more sense. We’re not just ‘partying for a purpose.’ We really are partying to help people.”

Richard Galli, co-owner of Eighteen63 and participant in the event, adds that it’s no hassle for interested individuals to get involved. 

“We’re making it easy for the college community to give back,” Galli said. “We’ve found a way to get everyone involved.”

Students who are interested in participating can purchase a Party 4 A Purpose T-shirt in Bosco  Student Plaza, outside of the K-State Student Union, today, as well as from any of the participating Aggieville bars tonight.

Both Beye and Gautereaux expressed their hope that the K-State community will be more than willing to contribute to the cause and help make the event a success. 

“Buy a T-shirt and come out on Friday!” Beye said. “Not only will you save money, but you’ll help prove that college kids really do care.”

Participating Aggieville businesses include: Johnny Kaw’s Sports Bar, Eighteen63, O’Malley’s Alley, Rusty’s, Tubby’s Sports Bar, Shot Stop, Drinx, Chuggers, The Salty Rim, DoughBoys Pizza and Pub, Bomb Bar, Kite’s Grill and Bar, Varney’s and Wildcat Nutrition.