By Marc Hartmann
Guest Writer
Saint Mary’s University held its first Voices for Justice event on Nov.
9 to raise awareness for different causes and issues that students see in the
world around them while raising money to donate, according to Hall Director
(HD) Charissa Jakusz.
Jakusz was one of the primary organizers of the event. The event was
held in the Toner Center Dining Hall and consisted of a live auction, musical
performances and a presentation from representatives of 10 different causes
that were voiced.
“Our goal was that during our centennial year, we could start a program
that would tie into our mission of empowering students to ethical lives of
service and leadership,” said Jakusz.
The event raised over $2,100. Jakusz exclaimed without hesitation that
the event was a huge success. She
said, “Being able to give over $700 to each of the three causes far exceeded
our expectations.”
Nominations to voice a cause were sent around campus prior to the
event. During the event 10
students and organizations voiced their cause and gave the audience an
opportunity to vote on their top three causes.
After what Jakusz called “a very close vote,” the three winning
charities that split the proceeds were Casa Miller, the Wounded Warriors
Project and Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare. Casa Miller is a school for indigenous boys in Guatemala that
was started by Brother James Miller, a SMU alum who gave his life in Guatemala
in 1982. The Wounded Warriors Project provides services to severely injured
service members during the time from active duty and transition to civilian
life. Gillette Children’s
Specialty Healthcare is based in Saint Paul and provides medical and other care
to children with disabilities.
The live auction at the event gave members of the audience the
opportunity to bid on items donated by members of the SMU and local community. Some of the items included gift
certificates to local restaurants, a tablet, free rounds of golf and movie
baskets.
Pre-fundraising programs to raise money for the causes voiced at the
event were implemented by resident assistants (RA’s) around campus throughout
the semester. Some of these events
included a car wash, a trash pick-up, a taxi service around campus and a pie
your RA/HD. All proceeds from these
events went directly to the causes chosen at the event.
Jakusz hopes that the event will be a tradition carried out at SMU for
years to come. “Next year hopefully even more people can get involved, and we
can raise even more money for some great causes.”
Jakusz expressed special thanks to everyone who came to support the
event, the individuals that donated items for the auction, the RA’s who spent
time planning the event and students who voiced a cause.