Madonna students “rake” in support for new green building
By Emilia Kozak
Madonna is encouraging students to “leaf” a lasting legacy at the university by supporting the first student-lead fund-raising campaign called “Leaf Your Mark” for the new eco-friendly Science and Media building.
Students can help “rake” in support by buying or selling $1, $5, or $10 leaves running through Dec. 12. Buyers can decorate the leaf with their name or a personal message. The leaves will be displayed outside Take-5 on a tree, and if the campaign grows successfully, the tree might blossom, too.
“Depending on the success of this campaign, we might try a similar fundraiser in the spring,” said Karen Sanborn, Director of Marketing. “This semester, we might have to add some branches to the tree if we sell a lot of leaves. Wouldn’t the tree look great spreading across the Take-5 entrance?”
This fund-raiser is the first in a series called “Blue and Gold is Green,” emphasizing Madonna’s commitment to good stewardship of the earth and this year’s university-wide theme, “Green and Growing.”
The student-lead initiative was developed by a focus group of students invited by the university to explore fund-raising options. One issue the panel brought up was the importance of involving students in the process of raising money.
“Being a student involved in the fund-raiser really empowers you. You know you’re making a difference at the school, that you have some control over what’s happening here,” said John Allasio, who was a member of the focus group.
Students suggested other ways to become involved in the campaign, such as selling “green” merchandise, recycling, volunteering, or adding a gift when making online tuition payments. The university is considering the best ways to apply some of these suggestions to the fund-raiser.
Lots of prizes and recognition will be awarded to students involved in the campaign. Leaf purchases in Take-5 enter the buyer into a raffle for Madonna merchandise.
Anyone who sells $250 or more will win a Madonna University t-shirt, or could upgrade to a sweatshirt for selling $500 or more. High sellers will also be listed in the Madonna Now magazine, listed on the university Web site, and have their names in a special and permanent feature of the new building.
s advertisement for the event, yard waste bags were stuffed, decorated with the “Leaf Your Mark” slogan, and placed around the school as teasers to pique student interest.
“At first I didn’t really get them” says Chris Leach, Criminal Justice, about the bags. “But when saw the table in Take-5 and talked to a few people, I think it’s a pretty cool idea. I even bought a leaf!”
Students are happy to see the fund-raiser highlights the eco-friendliness of the new building. “I think it’s pretty ingenious that, since our new building is going to be helping the environment, they tied the fund-raiser into green and nature,” said Sarah Thiefels, Dietetics. “It’s just a dollar It isn’t a lot for one person to give a dollar, but if everyone gave a little, we could reach our goal so easily.”
Students interested in becoming involved with the campaign stop by the Advancement office or contact Diane Holka at 734-432-4736 or dholka@madonna.edu
Bags of leaves advertised the fund-raising event.