A Worcester State University student-led crowdfunding initiative with a goal of raising $5,000 for Puerto Rico relief efforts will kick off on Monday, November 6, and run until Wednesday, November 15. All money raised will be donated to a local charity working directly with organizations in Puerto Rico to help the island’s residents.
“So many students know someone who is affected by the devastation in Puerto Rico, and we want to stand in solidarity with our friends,” said Monica Bhakhri ’18, Student Government Association president, who is leading the effort. Other student groups involved include the Student Senate, Third World Alliance, CLEWS (Community and Leadership Experience at Worcester State), and the Student Events Committee.
Starting November 6, academic and administrative departments can join in on “Make a Change Por Puerto Rico” Penny Wars, competing to see which department can raise the most money through spare change. Chartwells will host a breakfast for the winning department. Collection jars will also be visible throughout campus.
On the final day of the campaign, November 15, students are inviting Worcester City Councilor and Puerto Rico liaison Sarai Rivera ’90 to campus to discuss the status of the recovery effort. Chartwells is planning to serve Puerto Rican-themed food in the POD.
“Our goal is to get everyone in our community involved—students, faculty, staff, and alumni,” Bhakhri said. “Students are really excited about this effort and we are getting great feedback.”
During Homecoming on Saturday, October 21, the SGA sold apple cider and donuts, and all other student groups fundraising that day donated 10 percent of their proceeds to the post-Maria disaster relief efforts in Puerto Rico. Altogether, about $800 was raised during that one day, Bhakhri said.
A previous version of this article stated that all money raised would be donated to Unidos Por Puerto Rico, a fund created by Beatriz Rosselló, the wife of the governor of Puerto Rico, to help the island’s residents.
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