 Sophomore history major Patrick J. Holder collects money for Pennies for Peace at Convocation Thursday. Photo by Jordan Paris
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by KINZEY POLITES
Intern Lifestyles Reporter
A student-led movement is starting on campus, one penny at a time.
Pennies for Peace, a joint-effort fundraising campaign between various clubs and organizations, is collecting loose change and turning it into a donation.
The fundraiser will give its profits to the Central Asia Institute (CAI), a non-profit organization designed especially for girls, helping create community-based education in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
According to
penniesforpeace.org, a girl who receives a fifth grade education
improves not only the basic indices of health for her and her family,
but also helps spread the value of education within her community.
Convocation
speaker Greg Mortenson, author of summer reading book “Three Cups of
Tea,” is the co-founder and executive director of CAI.
Kelly E.
McRell, co-chair of the Appalachian and the Community Together Impact
Team said ACT wanted to play their part when they heard of other clubs
and organizations already participating in fundraisers to benefit
Pennies for Peace.
Because
of this, ACT has become the central communication tool for the
campus-wide fundraiser and held a kickoff prior to Convocation Sept.
10.
At the kickoff, others put up posters, passed out fliers and encouraged students to “join the movement.”
Their work paid off.
“It was
incredible,” McRell said. “We haven’t received the total amount of
loose change donated, but the amount of just checks and cash came out
to a total of $3,000.”
The goal, set at $12,000, is enough to build an entire school.
“I was
amazed when I found out $12,000 could do so much,” Preston G. Hines,
junior pre-professional biology major said. “It made me want to donate
whatever I could to help.”
Various
clubs and organizations will set up contact tables Sept. 20-26,
including ACT, Appalachian Popular Programming Society, the Residence
Hall Association, orientation leaders and various sororities and
fraternities.
However, anyone can join the movement.
Danielle
N. Clare, sophomore elementary education major and Murphy’s Restaurant
& Pub employee, said she is going to talk to her employer,
requesting a donation box be put at the cash register.
“It just
takes one person to get the word out there and if anyone has a [good]
idea for a fundraiser, they can do it,” McRell said.
The fundraiser will conclude Oct. 1 and the final amount raised will be announced at the Oct. 10 Homecoming football game.
“I think
the Pennies for Peace movement is very organic,” Cindy A. Wallace, vice
chancellor of Student Development said. “From elementary school kids to
senior citizens, this fundraising effort resonates with people who want
to support long-term peaceful solutions in one of the most troubled
parts of the world.”
Photo by Jordan Paris | The Appalachian
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