Coin drive brings change

On Tuesday, November 28, the Student Activities Board began a fundraiser project, which supported the Make-a-Wish Foundation and concluded with the Kevin Sharp presentation on Tuesday in Hatfield Hall. The goal of the fundraiser was to raise over $6000 to help Lacey, a local girl who has Cystic Fibrosis. SAB came up with the idea to have a coin war between the academic and administrative departments. The rules of the game were simple: coins are positive, and bills are negative. The department’s buckets were placed on tables in the Student Union and the Commons for the four days the fundraiser was being held.

Emily Curtis, a Freshman Biomedical Engineer, was the fundraising coordinator for this event. “The fundraiser went really well. There was a lot of support from campus, which was really appreciated.”

The totals were low on Thursday November 30, with only having raised close to $300, but made up for it in the next day. Due to the rivalry between the academic departments, several of the staff departments took off with the lead.

The competition ended on Friday December 1, with a total amount of $2227.57 raised altogether, including the donations received by Alpha Phi Omega and RHA. Student Affairs came in first, collecting the most change, with a positive $246.81 and the Math Department following in second place with $78.27. The last place department was the Civil Department with negative $16.57. Student Affairs was the biggest collector, managing to fill three large jars full of change.

Aside from the Coin War, Alpha Phi Omega contributed approximately $400 to the fundraiser from their “Sock-It-To-Me” fundraiser. Members of APO walked around campus with giant socks filled with coins, collecting spare change from students in their rooms. The Residence Hall Association also donated $400 towards the Make-A-Wish fundraiser.

Donna Gustafson, the Associate Dean for Student Services and an advisor for SAB, also helped with supporting the fundraiser. “I am proud of the interest our campus community has shown in reaching out to help make Lacey’s wish come true.”