Strong Student Involvement Moves Poole Shack Team past Goal

As of late Wednesday afternoon, Poole College’s student team had $3,100 in donations, surpassing its $3,000 fundraising goal for this year’s NC State Habitat for Humanity Shack-a-Thon.

Total contributions received as of Tuesday evening, Sept. 20, was $2,900. Of that, $1,259 came through the online donation website, said Morgan Daniels, Poole College Peer Leader and one of the college’s Shack-a-Thon event team leaders. The rest has come through the sale of cookies, cupcakes, and Poole College merchandise at the shack and Nelson Hall.

“We all are very pleased not only with the response of donors but also with the involvement of students in the college,” said Chris Casey, event team leader for Poole College Ambassadors. More than 200 students are participating in the fundraiser this year, with seven Poole College student organizations involved.

“We made a real effort through the Poole Council to increase the number of college clubs participating this year,” said Alzabeth Roman, event coordinator for the Poole Council.

“About 30 volunteers helped to construct the shack on Sunday, with another 30 or so volunteering to bring baked goods or help to sell them at our shack on the Brickyard and in Nelson Hall,” Daniels said. More than 50 students volunteered for two-hour shifts staying in the shack, day and night, throughout the week-long fundraiser.

“I think our students are once again doing a great job with this fundraiser for such an important cause,” said Dr. Ira Weiss, dean of the college (center in the photo). He stopped by on Wednesday afternoon to check out the students’ progress and pose for a photo. Dr. David Baumer, head of the college’s Department of Business Management, (left in the photo) also stopped to talk with the students.

Poole College clubs participating in the event this year are International Audit Student Club, Institute of Management Accountants, Alpha Kappa Psi, Hamilton Scholars, Poole Council, Poole College Peer Leaders, and Poole College Ambassadors.

Students will continue to reside and raise funds through the shacks on the Brickyard through Friday, Sept. 23. Whack-a-shack is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 25. That is when the shacks are dismantled and materials salvaged for next year’s event. Online contributions will be accepted through Sept. 30.

New Shack-a-Thon photos are posted daily on Poole College’s Flickr page.