Laugh-fueled Funk ’n Waffles fundraiser rakes in $1,200 for Trevor Project
Funny Funk ’n Fundraiser raised nearly $1,200 on Thursday night for the Trevor Project. Comedians aimed to support the LGBTQ+ community while creating a night of fun. Joe Zhao | Senior Staff Photographer
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Editor’s note: This article includes mention of violence and suicide.
After starring in a show at the Gotham Comedy Club in New York City this past summer, Tim Wong wanted to host an off-campus comedy show for a cause, when he returned to campus in the fall.
“This is an opportunity for people to be their most authentic selves, and if that is talking about what they want to talk about, I’m perfectly happy for it,” Wong said.
A Syracuse University junior studying television, radio and film and economics, Wong saw his idea come to life at the Funny Funk’n Fundraiser on Thursday. The comedy show was held at Funk ‘n Waffles, and all of the funds went to The Trevor Project. By the end of the night, the event raised nearly $1,200 dollars, Wong said.
The event included 12 comedians, a DJ opening and plenty of food. Wong said this is an important time to organize a fundraising event.
President Donald Trump ended the “press 3” 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in July, a hotline specifically for LGBTQ+ youth. Wong said people couldn’t be themselves, leading to the fundraising for The Trevor Project.
“Fear of prejudice and hate crimes struck a chord in me,” Wong said. “The mental health aspect of it hits close to home for me.”
When the Funk ‘n Waffles doors opened at 8 p.m., attendees were greeted by a nightclub-like scene with Troy Conner, a senior visual communications major, at center stage, DJ’ing with headphones on.
Conner’s friends shared music created by LGBTQ+ artists with him to include in his set. The opportunity to play music for an event like the Funny Funk’n Fundraiser was a chance to show love to artists who are from that community.
“I have a lot of friends and family who are LGBTQ+ and I want to be able to help them in any way I can, making sure they have the resources they need,” Conner said. “I feel like it’d be insane to pass up an opportunity to help out with something like this.”
The comedians of the night shared everything: coming out stories, being on their period and even what the first day of school looks like when the professor has them share their pronouns. Each person connected their set back to the main purpose of the event — supporting LGBTQ+ youth.
12 student comedians peformed at the Funny Funk’n Fundraiser, including junior Tim Wong. Comedians referenced LGBTQ+ issues in their sets, connecting with the night’s mission of supporting LGBTQ+ youth. Joe Zhao | Senior Staff Photographer
Wong asked Tuleck Porchia, an SU sophomore studying acting, to join the comedy show fundraiser in July. Porchia said he was excited to perform to support his community.
“As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I’m glad to be part of an event that is supporting The Trevor Project,” Porchia said. “Because I fit in both categories of doing comedy, but also being a gay Black man.”
All of the comedians brought their own twist, connecting jokes to their lives and the LGBTQ+ community. Porchia used his set and voice to intertwine jokes and personal anecdotes that aligned with supporting the LGBTQ+ community. He shared his coming out journey, realizing he didn’t like the “popular girl” in his grade.
For Lily Veith, an attendee from North Syracuse, the event didn’t just provide comedic relief. It was a community of people looking to have a fun night, enjoy some food and jokes all in support of the same cause.
“I had a friend die by suicide, so it’s important for me to be here tonight supporting him and a young community of people who have lost their lives,” Veith said.
Although she isn’t part of the LGBTQ+ community, Veith said she’s an ally and finds it “important to show respect.”
She’s never really interacted with the SU student body before, despite living in North Syracuse her whole life. Veith said the off-campus event allowed students and locals to come together, despite the event being fully organized by SU students.
Wong hopes this fundraiser event will reoccur in future years as well so people can continue to gather for this cause.
“I don’t think it can get any nicer than people coming together to support a group that has been marginalized for so long and is currently in a lot of danger,” Wong said.
