Arch March group organizes 'Change Wars' as a McDonald House fundraiser
The University of St. Thomas Arch March Committee, which is organizing the annual spring march from the university's Summit Avenue arches to the Ronald McDonald House in Minneapolis, has added a new twist to its fundraising efforts this year.
The committee has created a "Change Wars" competition to collect spare change. The competition to see which class wins is now underway and will continue through March. You can gain points for, or against, a class depending on which jar and what kind of money you place in a particular class jar.
For example: A penny placed in the "freshman" jar counts as one point for the freshmen. A silver coin placed in the freshman jar counts as a point against that class. Someone who wants the freshmen to win, therefore, might put some pennies in the freshman jar, and put nickels in the sophomore, junior and senior jars.
Change Wars jars can be found from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays in Koch Commons and during the 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. convo hour Thursdays in the Grill in Murray-Herrick Campus Center.
Money raised in the Change Wars will be added to the contributions raised by the third-annual Arch March, which begins at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 5, at the St. Thomas arches.
Participants will hike three miles to the Ronald McDonald House at 621 Oak Street, S.E., Minneapolis, where they will present donations collected to support the work of the house.
The Ronald McDonald House provides a home away from home for up to 48 families of chronically and terminally ill children receiving medical care in the Twin Cities. Worldwide, more than 10 million families have benefited from Ronald McDonald Houses.
In addition to the Change Wars, money is being raised through pledges for the walk and through the collection of pop tabs. Look for the “pop-tab houses” placed in residence halls, recycling bins and other locations throughout the St. Thomas campus. The Ronald McDonald House Pop-Tab Collection Program was initiated in 1987 here in the Twin Cities; since then about 400 million tabs have been collected nationally, generating more than $4 million.
For more information about the Arch March, e-mail Audrey Hoefer or visit the St. Thomas American Marketing Association Web site.
