Everest climber hosting comedy night to benefit Nepal

Kelcy Dolan
Posted 6/4/15

As the world seeks to help Nepal in their time of need, after experiencing two 7-plus magnitude earthquakes, a few Warwick residents are coming together to host a fundraiser to benefit Plan …

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Everest climber hosting comedy night to benefit Nepal

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As the world seeks to help Nepal in their time of need, after experiencing two 7-plus magnitude earthquakes, a few Warwick residents are coming together to host a fundraiser to benefit Plan International’s efforts in the country.

Dr. Tim Warren and Bob DeGregorio are hosting a “Night for Nepal,” a comedy night fundraiser with Funny4Funds on June 24 at the Knights of Columbus.

Warren was first introduced to Nepal and its people in 2007 when he traveled to the country to climb Mount Everest. He has gone another two times spending more than six months in the country. He said through climbing he was able to go past “where the tour buses go” and live among the people.

“You find a love and bond with more than just the mountains but the people,” he said.

He said the people of Nepal are the most peaceful he’s ever known. He remembered how despite being of two different major religions, Hindu and Buddhism, the Nepalese would stand shoulder-to-shoulder worshipping in complete peace.

“Especially today, in a world where people of the same religion will butt heads for one little discrepancy, the way they live in peace and show so much kindness and respect to one another is something to be admired and emulated,” Warren said.

When Warren heard about the earthquake he said it was “heartbreaking,” especially when he saw videos of some of his favorite sights crumble.

As the sixth poorest country in the world, Nepal’s climbing and hiking industry is the “economic engine” and Warren said the “future of Everest climbing is up in the air,” and without that market Nepal’s economy will continue to suffer.

Right now though he said, with monsoon season started, the most important thing is to secure basic needs for the people of Nepal food, water and, most importantly, shelter. Currently, he said, many people are living in tarp tents with very little protecting them from the elements.

The fundraiser will benefit Plan International, which is based in Warwick and is “already on the ground working” in Nepal.

Warren has worked with them before, sponsoring children in other countries.

“You don’t want to throw money willy-nilly at a problem,” Warren said. “ Especially because the Nepalese government can be corrupt and money vaporizes before it gets to the people.”

The minimum Warren and DeGregorio hope to raise is $5,000.

Pairing a comedy show for a tragic event like the earthquake in Nepal being odd crossed Warren’s mind for “maybe seven seconds” before he decided it was the best route for the fundraiser. He said that he didn’t want to “reinvent the wheel” but rather hire reliable and successful “experts” to ensure Nepal gets the full benefits.

“The people I met in Nepal had this mantra, ‘Do good, be kind, and have fun.’ We just want to live by that,” Warren said.

The Funny4Funds comedy show, “A Night for Nepal,” will be at the Knights of Columbus at 475 Sandy Lane on Wednesday June 24. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. There is room for 225 people. There is a cash bar available and those in attendance are encouraged to bring their won snacks. All proceeds will benefit Plan International. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at www.checkoutri.com. For more information or to purchase a ticket call Dr. Tim Warren 374-5067 or Bob DeGregorio at 497-6585.

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