He’s Not Here hosts benefit nights

While many know He’s Not Here for its iconic blue cups, the bar is gaining another, more philanthropic, reputation.

On Halloween, the popular Chapel Hill bar held a benefit night in memory of David Shannon, the UNC freshman found dead on Oct. 27.

The event brought in $3,017 for the David Shannon Memorial Scholarship Fund, surpassing the bar’s $3,000 goal.

“It perfectly met our expectations,” said Fleming Fuller, general manager at He’s Not. “What would you expect from Tar Heels?”

The Shannon benefit is just one of many philanthropic events that He’s Not has hosted this semester.

Fuller said the bar has helped raise close to $20,000 for these causes this semester.

These initiatives include Relay for Life, the Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation, Teach for America and Camp Kesem.

Sarah Ikalowych, a UNC student and He’s Not employee, said the bar is a sought-after place for benefit nights.

“It’s a win-win all around,” she said. “Why not do business and raise money for a good cause?”

About 950 people attended the Shannon benefit, and there were about 200 additional donations made to the scholarship. The $3 cover also went to the fund.

Carson Coggins, a member of the Chi Phi fraternity and an assistant manager at He’s Not, said the bar’s staff saw donating the Halloween night cover as an excellent way to honor Shannon.

“I thought it was a perfect example of the kind of stand-up individuals associated with He’s Not Here,” he said in an email.

John Childress, the president of Chi Phi, said in an email that the benefit was well appreciated.

“It was a thoughtful gesture, and the turnout showed the strength of the UNC community,” he said.

Fuller also said involvement is key to making events like these work.

The student organization connections held by the He’s Not staff is where the bulk of ideas on causes come from.

The bar facilitates the benefits while the student organizations back and promote them.

“We’re all incredibly active,” Fuller said. “We look at all causes equally.”

Fuller said the bar’s large capacity is another reason why it’s a popular place to hold benefits. But the number one reason is the weight He’s Not holds in the community.

“We’ve been here for 40 years and don’t have a set group,” he said. “We’re an everybody bar.”

The typical cover charge at He’s Not is $3 for philanthropy events, though some nights have larger covers depending on the type of event.

But Ikalowych said the bar doesn’t want to deter customers with large cover fees.

And Fuller agreed.

“It’s not always about making money,” he said.

Contact the desk editor at city@dailytarheel.com.