An enthusiastic cadre of Penn State Brandywine students set up shop outside the campus’ Commons Building on Sept. 21 to encourage passersby to donate to a worthy cause.
Students from We Are Penn State M.A.D.E. (Making a Difference Everyday) club hosted a Brandywine Blue Out to coordinate with a similar event at University Park, in which students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends attending the Penn State vs. Temple football game at Beaver Stadium on Sept. 22 were asked to wear blue in support of victims of abuse.
“Many of the Brandywine students used their own social media channels to promote wearing blue,” said Laura Guertin, associate professor of earth sciences and the club’s adviser. “They started wearing blue ribbons earlier in the week to encourage discussion and awareness.”
Official Blue Out T-shirts were available for purchase in the campus bookstore, with proceeds benefiting Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape. The students set up tables to collect donations for Delaware County Women Against Rape (DelCoWAR) and hand out blue ribbons to anyone who made a contribution. Mary Ann Cirillo McManus, director of education for DelCoWAR, was on hand to answer questions and offer information and giveaways.
“The message we sent to students was ‘Donate any money you have, even spare change. Every penny counts!’“ said Rebecca Berkowitz, secretary and treasurer of Penn State M.A.D.E. “We raised $101 for DelCoWAR and there was a lot of enthusiasm from students.”
Cirillo McManus said “It was great to meet and work with the Penn State M.A.D.E volunteers. We very much appreciate the time, effort and high level of enthusiasm for this important cause.”
Penn State M.A.D.E. looks to be involved with many different causes and hopes to mobilize the entire campus, not just students, in getting involved and making a difference, according to Guertin.
“The club was very happy that they could create their own event that matched with an event at University Park, letting the community know that university-wide, students support survivors of child abuse,” she said.