A Penny for Your Thoughts

Who knew fundraising could be so much fun?!

In the spirit of charity and friendly competition, the DeVos Sport Business Management program recently participated in a Penny Wars fundraiser with all proceeds going to the Hope for Stanley Alliance. The object of this competition was pretty simple and straightforward. We placed two oversized jars (representing each current class) in the office for a week and the students placed loose change and bills in each container. Each penny counted for one point while silver coins and dollars subtracted points at face value. Team members helped their team by adding pennies to their team’s jar while sabotaging the other team’s final count by adding silver coins and dollars. For a full week the classes of 2010 and 2011 plotted and strategized against their friends and classmates. The trash talking ensued and all personal bonds and relationships were placed on the back burner!

The winning class received a “dress-down day” and of course the bliss that comes along with beating your friends. I must admit, the competition was stiff, but my class (2011) was victorious over the class of 2010. Our strategy? We hid large bills inside of smaller ones! The win came at the perfect time because we had an exam at 7:30am the following Monday so we were allowed to wear jeans and flip flops instead of our normal business casual attire. Although we got a kick out of the competition aspect of Penny Wars, it was all for a good cause and that was most important to everyone involved. Between November 2 – 13 we were able to raise a total of $226.27 towards rebuilding New Orleans.

Penny Wars turned out to be a big hit and a great success. We will definitely use this method of fundraising in the future. It’s fun and it supports a great cause… helping to rebuild and restore communities affected by natural disasters. Members and supporters of Hope for Stanley Alliance are always thinking of ways to positively impact the lives of the residents of New Orleans even when we aren’t physically there. Penny Wars is a small way for the students of the DeVos Sport Business Management program to give back. We are thankful to all of the friends and supporters of Hope for Stanley Alliance. Our success in New Orleans continues to grow because of you.

Naomi Robinson, Graduate Assistant, Hope for Stanley Alliance