SGA asks students to give 'change for change'

By: Nora Blumenstein

Posted: 10/1/04

The Student Government Association (SGA)-sponsored Change for Change program will commence this weekend. Holy Cross will become only the third college in the nation to adopt the initiative.

"I believe this program fits nicely with the mission of Holy Cross to develop men and women for others by engaging the entire student body in a charitable activity that will greatly benefit people in the greater Worcester area," said Joe Dalton '05, SGA Director of Student Life Issues and the driving force behind the program.

According to Dalton, the program will involve the distribution of hard plastic cups to the student body through the various House Councils. The cups will bear Holy Cross colors and a College logo. Throughout the semester, students will keep their spare change in the cups. At semester's end, the change will be collected and the student body will vote on the SGA website for a local charity to receive the proceeds. Dalton said he will be accepting suggestions for charities from students throughout the semester.

The program will be continuous, he said, hopefully for years to come. He also added that the cups will have holes in the bottom, as to prevent their being used for beverage consumption.

"I wanted to found this program at Holy Cross because I heard about its success at the University of Pennsylvania and Amherst College and I knew that it would be as successful, if not more successful, at Holy Cross," added Dalton.

The program, which began at the University of Pennsylvania and later spread to Amherst College, is described as "the first large-scale charitable giving vehicle for college students, working to promote philanthropy and raise funds for local community projects" on the organization's website.

The organization's goals include encouraging students to actively engage in philanthropy and charitable giving, empowering students to make positive change in their community, giving student a vehicle through which to raise awareness for local causes, and linking students through a national campus network.

In 2003, the organization's founder Dana Hork was featured as one of Reader's Digest's "Everyday Heroes." It has also been honored by the National Football League, receiving a silver metal through the National Football League Junior Community Quarterback Program.