This week, the Strong Community Council will be fundraising to benefit the Adopt-A-Child Christmas Program.
The SCC will sell candygrams and host a Penny War for the Strong Community, the collective name for the Boyd, Putnam and Van Zile residence halls at Kansas State. All funds raised will go toward buying gifts for children in need.
Candygrams will be sold Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Van Zile Dining Center during the evening meal. Residents who purchase a candygram can attach an encouraging message to send to another resident. The candygrams will be delivered the weekend before finals week.
A Penny War will be hosted as a competition between Boyd, Putnam and Van Zile. Each hall is challenged to collect as many pennies as possible. Competing halls can lower other resident hall amounts by adding bills or other coins to their respective jars.
“Around this time, we tend to focus just on ourselves and families, which is important,” said Tommy Newsom, assistant community coordinator for Putnam and graduate student in public administration. “But it is also important to think about those less fortunate than us and be able to help them as we are able.”
Last year, the Strong Community raised over $200 in a similar fundraiser. The SCC was able to support children and their families through donations.
“Our community will get to see firsthand how they can positively impact others,” said Kinsey Davidson, SCC member and sophomore in open option. “Sending someone appreciation and encouragement brings holiday cheer to the residence halls while also helping someone in need.”
SCC’s purpose is to provide events for students living in the Strong Community as well as opportunities for students to give back.
Davidson said being a part of SCC has prepared her to be more aware of issues in the community and organize an effort to tackle these issues. She said this group has challenged her to ask herself, “What am I going to do for my community?”
Brian Hernandez, Strong Community resident and freshman in marketing, said the fundraising is part of the K-State brand.
“I think it’s not only important for SCC to host events like this, but it is meaningful,” Hernandez said. “It makes our community a more family-type atmosphere, which is an important value at K-State.”
