Brief Background
The Undie Run® is no ordinary charitable event. It has been coined, “an unforgettable philanthropic experience.” Other unique catchphrases help to describe the growing cultural phenomenon: “Philanthropy just got a whole lot sexier,” “Half-naked humanitarians,” “For co-eds who hate clothes and love charity.” What is it?
The Undie Run® challenges college and university students across the nation to get involved in charity by taking their clothes off…donating them to charity…and running wild together through campus. The idea is simple: college kids need to let off steam leading up to finals and the end of the school year. The best way to do so, we believe, is to run around in your underwear with the people who understand you the most, other half-naked people. As you can imagine, the Undie Run® has become the ribbon for college charity, the most effective means by which awareness and funds are raised for charitable causes among college students.
The idea for Undie Run® was sparked in 2006 by three friends in San Diego, California. The plan was simple – create a global Undie Run® movement. No money was raised in 2006, but the guys behind the Undie Run® realized the potential running around in undies had in generating conversations about their cause for charity. As a college organization in 2010, the Undie Run® and its efforts raised $50,000 and collected 20,000 lbs of clothing.
