Homecoming candidates fundraise for good causes
Meredith Gonsalves
Issue date: 2/1/10 Section: News
As a part of Homecoming week, six candidates vied for the title of Mr. and Ms. DePaul. However, they fought for more than just bragging rights: They were in a race to raise as much money as possible for their philanthropy.
Melissa Acosta, a junior, chose the American Red Cross Association for Haiti as her charity. The recent tragedy in Haiti inspired her interest and plea for the cause. Haiti is one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world, and is the poorest country in the western hemisphere. As of Jan. 25, the government of Haiti confirmed 150,000 people have died since the hurricane hit, along with destroyed schools, buildings, homes and hospitals.
"The people of Haiti have no form of aid or relief they can help their own people with. That's why they need not only our help, but everyone's as well," Acosta said. She made Spanish and English flyers and attached them to small money jugs, leaving them at local stores in her home town, as well as a few local businesses in Lincoln Park
"Every dollar or change counts," Acosta said. "I hope that I can at least contribute with the help of everyone to send some form of aid to help our neighbors in Haiti out."
DePaul senior Steve Korzun used the Mr. and Ms. DePaul competition to raise money for Make a Wish Foundation. Make a Wish is a charity that grants wishes to children with life threatening illnesses. Everything from a trip to Disney World to meeting a famous celebrity have been wishes granted in the past.
" I believe that Make a Wish Foundation not only grants the wishes of ill children but it also gets the whole community of people involved including family, donators, and those who actually help make the wish come true." Money raised from Korzun's campaign will benefit the Illinois chapter of Make a Wish.
Another well-known philanthropy, the Special Olympic is being sponsored by junior Martyna Warzecha. She has had experience with the Special Olympics, as it is her sorority's national philanthropy. Last May she volunteered at the actual Special Olympic Games. She has also participated in the annual Chicago Polar Plunge to benefit the organization. The Special Olympics is an organization allowing people with mental disabilities to compete in a series of Olympic games and activities.
Melissa Acosta, a junior, chose the American Red Cross Association for Haiti as her charity. The recent tragedy in Haiti inspired her interest and plea for the cause. Haiti is one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world, and is the poorest country in the western hemisphere. As of Jan. 25, the government of Haiti confirmed 150,000 people have died since the hurricane hit, along with destroyed schools, buildings, homes and hospitals.
"The people of Haiti have no form of aid or relief they can help their own people with. That's why they need not only our help, but everyone's as well," Acosta said. She made Spanish and English flyers and attached them to small money jugs, leaving them at local stores in her home town, as well as a few local businesses in Lincoln Park
"Every dollar or change counts," Acosta said. "I hope that I can at least contribute with the help of everyone to send some form of aid to help our neighbors in Haiti out."
DePaul senior Steve Korzun used the Mr. and Ms. DePaul competition to raise money for Make a Wish Foundation. Make a Wish is a charity that grants wishes to children with life threatening illnesses. Everything from a trip to Disney World to meeting a famous celebrity have been wishes granted in the past.
" I believe that Make a Wish Foundation not only grants the wishes of ill children but it also gets the whole community of people involved including family, donators, and those who actually help make the wish come true." Money raised from Korzun's campaign will benefit the Illinois chapter of Make a Wish.
Another well-known philanthropy, the Special Olympic is being sponsored by junior Martyna Warzecha. She has had experience with the Special Olympics, as it is her sorority's national philanthropy. Last May she volunteered at the actual Special Olympic Games. She has also participated in the annual Chicago Polar Plunge to benefit the organization. The Special Olympics is an organization allowing people with mental disabilities to compete in a series of Olympic games and activities.
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