UNews - fundraiser

Food bank continues to serve a valuable need

trevor.kenney — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 21:34:28 +0000

Bringing Home The Bacon challenge on throughout February

The phrase "one must eat well in order to learn well," has never been truer than it is today.

Twenty years ago, graduate students at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta launched the first campus food bank and today there are more than 70 student food banks nationwide. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students' Union (ULSU) is proud to be the host of one of those food banks.

The issue of starving students comes as a result of a number of factors, including increased tuition rates, a shortage of youth jobs and ever-rising food prices. The reality is that most students rely on some form of financial assistance to supplement their post-secondary educations and all too often they stretch their funds by going without healthy meals.

The ULSU recognizes the financial constraints involved with post-secondary education and offers students both single and family-sized food hampers that are designed to give those in need a healthy alternative to going hungry. However, the food bank is a limited resource, as it is a volunteer-based service that relies completely on donations in order to survive. Events such as the Faculty Food Bank Fundraiser are hosted by the Students' Union to help meet the food bank's needs.

For the month of February, bright pink piggy banks can be spotted in departments throughout the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. Faculty, staff and students are all asked to dig deep and "donate some bacon." The fundraiser entices its contributors by offering a foodie gift basket and snacks delivered to the department that donates the most bacon, metaphorically speaking.

"This year, I thought it would be a good idea to add some incentive to the project by offering a food-based prize," says organizer Brady Schnell, ULSU vice-president Operations and Finance. "Last year, $298 was raised and it is my hope to beat that this year by offering a prize and extending the fundraiser to an entire month."

Schnell says that the demand placed on the campus food bank has increased significantly over the last couple years.

"We provided 154 single hampers and 80 family-sized hampers last year," he says. "This past November we provided 45 hampers in a single month!"

The ULSU supports a number of initiatives that benefit the food bank. Just last month, Schnell was involved in a local food and beverage exhibition where student volunteers received enough donations to fill six food hampers and were also given an additional $200 to go towards supporting the food bank's needs.

Schnell says the demand speaks for itself and he's thankful to everyone in the community and at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ who support the needs of students.

To donate to the food bank, look for the pink piggy banks or visit the ULSU in SU180.

Everest Challenge to raise funds

trevor.kenney — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 20:53:32 +0000

Climbers at the U of L are back for a fourth time to take on The Everest Challenge.

Beginning on Friday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m., three teams of climbers will climb just over 8,848 m (29,029 ft), the equivalent height of Mount Everest, on the indoor climbing wall at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Ascent Climbing Centre. The event will continue non-stop over the next 24 hours.

"This year, participants will climb the wall a minimum of 60 times each, with added challenges such as a snow blindness challenge in which climbers will climb blindfolded," says Nicole Sutherland, U of L Climbing Club President. "The Everest Challenge provides us with something to train for, and allows us to push ourselves for a good cause. I believe this year will be the most exciting yet, because we have finally perfected the logistics of the event."

Founded by a group of Rotaract students in 2009, and in collaboration with the Climbing Club, the group has raised nearly $7,500 (over 650,000 Nepalese rupees) from friends, family, and local businesses, to support the non-profit organization Uphill Both Ways, which furthers development in Nepal by funding construction and donating school supplies.

"The funds raised will go to furthering education and public health initiatives in Nepal," says Drew Andreachuk, a U of L student who has worked first-hand in Nepal supporting the cause, "It's hard to describe my time in Nepal but the kindness and love that the people have shown me there is astounding. I know we are making a difference and by donating and coming to climb you are making a difference too!"

Just a few Canadian dollars can supply a child with books and school supplies, a few hundred dollars can equip a classroom with desks and a blackboard, and a few thousand dollars can provide an entire school clean drinking water.

The Everest Challenge is not just a fundraiser and a place for climbers to show what they're made of; it is an open invitation to the public for an opportunity to learn more about climbing. Everyone is encouraged to come out on Friday and Saturday and climb, donate and cheer on the climbers.

To learn more about Everest Challenge, visit this link. To learn more about Uphill Both Ways, visit this link.

Journey complete for Mackinnon brothers

trevor.kenney — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 17:15:22 +0000

UPDATE: The Mackinnon brothers completed their journey and dipped toes in the Atlantic Ocean on July 16 before completing their journey back in Comox with a fundraiser barbecue on July 19

Scott Mackinnon (BA '07) understands that the world is so much greater than the space within which he exists. It's a point he undoubtedly learned while watching his once vibrant grandfather slowly lose his battle with Parkinson's disease, and one that was driven home while maturing as a young man at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. Now, as he cycles with his three brothers (Sean, Ross and Ryan) across Canada in memory of his late grandfather Neville 'Baha' Munro, he's reminded of that lesson every day.

"I always told my brothers what a supportive, passionate, loyal and aware community Lethbridge was," says the former Pronghorns men's basketball player and native of Comox, B.C. "It's just pretty cool that they are able to experience that first hand now. My experience here at the U of L definitely led me towards doing something like this – to be more socially aware and more conscious of something way beyond myself and something more important than myself."

Biking for Baha was an idea hatched between the brothers years ago. Their grandfather had wanted to cycle across Canada after being diagnosed with Parkinson's at age 60. A special bike was built for him by his eldest son (their uncle) but his declining motor skills never allowed for the trip to take place. In 2003, Baha passed away but his dream lived on.

"The last few years, riding across Canada became a big interest of mine and it became a huge conversation piece between us," says Mackinnon. "We started talking about it but things always seemed to get in the way. This year, all of a sudden, all four brothers fell into a place where there was time to do it and so here we are."

The quest to cross Canada and raise funds for Parkinson's research began May 19 on the B.C. coast and passed through Lethbridge May 30-31. The goal is to dip their tires in the Atlantic Ocean sometime in July (they finished July 16), all the while raising one dollar for every kilometre they cycle, as well as an additional dollar for the distance Baha would have covered for a total of $40,075. The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research is the recipient charity.

Coming through Lethbridge was a homecoming for Mackinnon and an opportunity to show off the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community he grew so close to during his time as a Pronghorn.

"Coming through Lethbridge was the best thing that could happen to us," he says. "We're pretty inexperienced touring cyclists so once we got through the mountains, Lethbridge was a key morale boost for us. It's been so good to see Travis Grindle and Eoin Colquhoun, coach Dave Adams and a lot of the people I really respect and look up to. The effort they put in to helping us, we're all taken aback by it."

The group spent two nights in Lethbridge, participated in an evening fundraiser, met kinesiology professor Dr. Jon Doan, toured his lab and learned about his work with local Parkinson's patients.

The generosity and open arms that greeted the group was exactly what he expected.

"I absolutely loved the U of L because of the small community," says Mackinnon, who went on to earn a bachelor's degree in education at Queen's ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and just completed his first year of teaching at an international school in Manila.

"I loved how you would be walking through the halls here and everyone would say hi. You have the small class sizes, everyone was friendly, and on the court, the crowds and the community support that you get here is amazing. You just couldn't ask for a better place to go to school and I would recommend to anyone to go here."

The group has now completed its journey, which is chronicled on their blog (bikingforbaha.weebly.com). As well, CBC Halifax created this video upon their arrival.

For Mackinnon, as much as the ride is personal, it continues to drive home the universal lesson he learned long ago.

"I've thought about my grandfather on this ride more than I have in a long time and it's one of the best things about this," he says. "It's really refreshing what an influence he had on our lives and what an inspiring man he was. It's also allowed me to learn so much. Ignorantly, I didn't realize how many people were affected by Parkinson's and it's really cool to be able to know there's that support network out there and that we can help towards finding a cure, towards something that can help these people cope with this terrible disease. It's been very eye opening."

GET THE FACTS

• The Biking for Baha team was greeted by a group of local cyclists as they made their way into Lethbridge. The Lethbridge Lodge provided them with two nights accommodation, while Backstreat Pub and Coco Pazzo's chipped in meals

• Mackinnon played for the Horns over two different stretches, from 2000-2002 and again from 2004-2007, scoring 862 points in 85 career Canada West games

• A true blue Pronghorn, Mackinnon and his brothers were given Horns basketball shirts by head coach Dave Adams. "I'll always be a part of Horns nation," says Mackinnon. "I love this place. If I could get a teaching job in southern Alberta I'd come back in a second."

• Mackinnon will return to Canada to look for a teaching job after one more year in the Philippines

• To donate to Biking for Baha, visit www.michaeljfox.org or www.bikingforbaha.weebly.com

This story first appeared in the June 2012 issue of the Legend. For a look at the entire issue in flipbook format, follow this link.

Cookbook to benefit SU Food Bank

trevor.kenney — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 21:51:46 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Bookstore has embarked on a fundraiser for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Students' Union Food Bank.

The bookstore is putting together a cookbook, which will feature a collection of U of L staff and faculty recipes. The cookbook will be published on campus and all proceeds from the sales of the book will go to the Students' Union Food Bank.

The SU Food Bank helps hundreds of students each year deal with food insecurity issues, allowing them to focus on their academic priorities. The Students' Union understands the financial constraints involved with earning a university education and has implemented this service so that students do not go hungry.

Food hampers are available in both single and family sizes, and are designed to last about a week. Students, staff and faculty are all eligible to receive food hampers. An individual is able to obtain a food hamper once every two weeks, limited to a total of 10 hampers throughout their entire academic career.

The food bank is a limited resource because it is a not-for-profit, volunteer run organization that depends entirely on donations to operate.

"The food bank has proven to be an essential service to U of L Students and we are always so grateful for the continued support from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community, as well as the Lethbridge community, in order to continue to meet students' needs," says Armin Escher, ULSU president.

Any staff or faculty member who would like to contribute to the cookbook can submit their favourite recipes to the bookstore via e-mail (bookstore@uleth.ca) by June 20.

"We, at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Bookstore, are very excited about the launch of our new fundraising initiative for our Students' Union Food Bank," says Rebecca Colbeck, U of L Bookstore. "This campus is a community, and it is important that we all work together and support one another. The cookbook will give faculty, staff and students the opportunity to share some great family recipes and really make a different to those in our community."

The cookbook will be available to faculty, staff, students and the general public to purchase in the Fall 2012 at the U of L Bookstore.

Mackinnon and brothers honouring Baha

trevor.kenney — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 21:55:38 +0000

UPDATE: The Mackinnon brothers completed their journey and dipped toes in the Atlantic Ocean on July 16 before completing their journey back in Comox with a fundraiser barbecue on July 19

The Mackinnon brothers, left to right, include Ryan, Ross, Scott and Sean. Here they are in Dr. Jon Doan's kinesiology lab after a brief tour of the facilities.

The quest to cross Canada and raise funds for Parkinson's research began May 19 on the B.C. coast and passed through Lethbridge May 30-31. The goal is to dip their tires in the Atlantic Ocean sometime in July (they arrived July 16), all the while raising one dollar for every kilometre they cycle, as well as an additional dollar for the distance Baha would have covered for a total of $40,075. The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research is the recipient charity.

Coming through Lethbridge was a homecoming for Mackinnon and an opportunity to show off the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community he grew so close to during his time as a Pronghorn.

The group spent two nights in Lethbridge, participated in an evening fundraiser, met kinesiology professor Dr. Jon Doan, toured his lab and learned about his work with local Parkinson's patients.

The generosity and open arms that greeted the group was exactly what he expected.

The group has now completed its journey, which is chronicled on their blog (bikingforbaha.weebly.com). As well, CBC Halifax created this video upon their arrival.

For Mackinnon, as much as the ride is personal, it continues to drive home the universal lesson he learned long ago.

GET THE FACTS

· The Biking for Baha team was greeted by a group of local cyclists as they made their way into Lethbridge. The Lethbridge Lodge provided them with two nights accommodation, while Backstreat Pub and Coco Pazzo's chipped in meals

· Mackinnon played for the Horns over two different stretches, from 2000-2002 and again from 2004-2007, scoring 862 points in 85 career Canada West games

· A true blue Pronghorn, Mackinnon and his brothers were given Horns basketball shirts by head coach Dave Adams. "I'll always be a part of Horns nation," says Mackinnon. "I love this place. If I could get a teaching job in southern Alberta I'd come back in a second."

· Mackinnon will return to Canada to look for a teaching job after one more year in the Philippines

· To donate to Biking for Baha, visit www.michaeljfox.org or www.bikingforbaha.weebly.com

This story first appeared in the June 2012 issue of the Legend. For a look at the entire issue in flipbook format, follow this link.

Senate recognizes duo

trevor.kenney — Mon, 07 May 2012 21:26:11 +0000

Lottie Austin and George Evelyn have repeatedly shown their willingness to commit personal time and resources to increasing community awareness and appreciation of the arts.

Professor Emeritus in the Department of Music and recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Medal, Evelyn developed a fundraiser for the U of L Singers called the Festival of Art and Song. A founding member of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's Planned Giving Committee, Austin chaired the Festival of Art and Song Committee for several years, and was key to the festival's success, ensuring it met and exceeded its fundraising goal every year.

Lottie Austin and George Evelyn have earned the 2012 Senate Volunteer Award.

Austin and Evelyn share a passion for education and music performance, and an expertise in administration. The U of L's arts and music programs have received broader awareness through their efforts.

The two agreed to be co-Chairs of the Music in the Making campaign, and have been critical in its success.

Designed to benefit the U of L Music Conservatory and launched in 2011, the Music in the Making campaign surpassed its fundraising goal of $500,000, thanks in large part to Austin and Evelyn's efforts to rally supporters of the arts and of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. Campaign funds will support the purchase of appropriate equipment and musical instruments for the Music Conservatory's new space in the Community Arts Centre in downtown Lethbridge. The success of this campaign will allow the Conservatory to successfully relocate to its new home.

For their unwavering commitment to the U of L and the community, Lottie Austin and George Evelyn are the recipients of the 2012 Senate Volunteer Award for volunteer work on behalf of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.

This story first appeared in the May issue of the Legend. For a look at the full issue in a flipbook format, follow this link.

Movie Mill Night supports Horns

trevor.kenney — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 18:06:57 +0000

A group of students has secured the Movie Mill for Wednesday, Mar. 14 as a fundraiser for Pronghorn Athletics scholarships, and they're looking for the community to respond.

The 2012 Integrated Management Experience (IME) class has partnered with Movie Mill owner Leonard Binning to have half of the evening's proceeds go toward athletic scholarships. This year, the funds will support the Horns women's rugby program.

From 6 p.m. to closing, your purchases at the Movie Mill - for both admission and concessions - will support Pronghorn Athletics. There are also door prizes, on-site contests and much more.

For more information, visit this site.

Speaker Series to debut at Galt

trevor.kenney — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 21:33:11 +0000

The Friends of the Galt Museum Society has selected an engaging lineup of local agricultural entrepreneurs for its new fundraiser speaker series to be held monthly at the Galt Museum & Archives as part of the Galt's Thursday evening program.

"Agricultural innovations have created quite a stir in southern Alberta," says Dr. Glenn Coulter, President of the Friends of the Galt, and Chair of the Speaker Series. "We are pleased to highlight these with our new speaker series, which also provides us another opportunity to support Galt Museum education initiatives."

The program was developed in consultation with a number of community organizations, including the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. The first three speaker series events are as follows:

Thursday, Jan. 19

Coal Banks to Cow Manure: Is this Full Circle?

SPEAKER: Stefan Michalski, a consultant with ECB Enviro North America Inc., a bio-based co-generation facility being built in North Lethbridge.

Michaleski's discussion will focus on the conversion of manure and other biological by-products of agriculture into energy, such as electricity and hot water.

ECB Enviro North America Inc., founded in 2001, has access to European Bio-Energy technologies such as highly innovative biogas and biodiesel processes and to new Canadian Hydrolysis Technology.

It plans to develop, engineer, built and operate Bio-Energy facilities all over Canada and North America and initiate agro-industrial clustering, rural revitalization, alternative sustainable energy production opportunities and local employment.

Thursday, Feb. 16

Current and Future Status of Biofuels

SPEAKER: Jim Thacker, Director at Kyoto Fuels Corporation, formed in 2003 and located in Lethbridge.

The Corporation recently received a $31 million 6-year investment from the Government of Canada, allowing it to produce up to 66 million litres of biodiesel annually by converting vegetable or cooking oil or animal fat into biodiesel.

It intends to sell the product to diesel producers in Western Canada and the northwestern United States. The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from biodiesel can be as much as 80 percent over regular diesel.

Thursday, March 15

Thebaine Poppy Innovation

SPEAKER: Glen Metzler, President, API Labs Inc. an early-stage pharmaceutical fine chemicals processing company establishing the groundwork to create a thebaine industry in Western Canada.

Glen Metzler has been involved in market development and research in Canada and internationally. He has worked with major companies in both the United States and Canada in product development and product launches and has an agricultural background.

Each program starts at 7:30 p.m. with networking opportunities, a presentation and then discussion. Tickets are priced at $20/person for each program and will be available at the door.

NASA hosts fire victim fundraiser

trevor.kenney — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:25:23 +0000

The Native American Student's Association at the U of L is organizing a fundraiser in support of the Shouting-McGinnis family, who lost their home to the Nov. 27 grassfire that swept across the prairie.

The event will be held Thursday, Dec. 15 from 4 to 11 p.m. in the Students' Union Ballroom and feature talented local musicians. Dubbed the Phoenix Benefit Rock Show, it's an event that suits the Shouting-McGinnis family well, as their two sons are musicians on the local rock scene.

"If it happened to my family, I would want to be shown the same compassion and support," says NASA president Abby Morning Bull to the Lethbridge Herald. "This family had put their hearts and souls into their home; to lose it at such a crucial time in the year is tough."

Admission to the event is $2 at the door or through a donation of any kind. For more information on the Phoenix Benefit Rock Show, call 403-715-5616 or e-mail abby.morningbull@uleth.ca

Global event hits home

trevor.kenney — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 17:57:41 +0000

On Mar. 11, 2011, the world watched in horror as Japan was rocked by a massive earthquake followed by a crushing tsunami that left behind a mass of death, destruction and devastation. Stirred by human compassion, many people want to help during such tragedies but often don't know how – so they wait for someone to take the lead. For Mieko Okutomi, a ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge student with family in Japan – waiting was not an option.

"When it first happened I was at home and I saw my friends on Facebook writing about Japan. I wasn't too concerned because Japan often has large earthquakes – but when I saw all the media coverage I started to realize this was different," recalls Okutomi, whose home is only 100 km away from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. "I felt really bad because at first I couldn't reach some of my family members. It took a while to find out they were OK. That was what initially prompted me to get involved in the fundraiser. I felt compelled to do something. I knew I would never be able to look at myself in the mirror if I hadn't done anything."

Mieko Okutomi (fourth-year accounting), Sayu Ishimine (fourth-year psychology), Yukino Okutomi (volunteer), Eri Asano (volunteer) and professor Eiichi Yokota and his wife Yuko Yokota.

Responding to an plea from the International Centre for Students (ICS), Okutomi, Ayuno Nakahashi, Ryosuke Imura, Sayu Ishimine and Emma Wight met with staff and came up with the idea to fundraise money to aid Japan through the Red Cross. The students created displays and brochures detailing the tragedy and set up donation boxes on campus. The fundraiser took place Mar. 16-18.

"The ICS provided the students with logistical support, organizing tables on campus, supplying presentation material and signing the contract with Red Cross so that the fundraiser could happen," says Trish Jackson, acting manager ICS. "I am just so impressed by how much enthusiasm, love and care the students brought with them and how well it was received around campus."

During the fundraiser, Okutomi became aware of an extraordinary achievement by Yuko Yokota, the wife of Dr. Eiichi Yokota, a visiting professor from Hokkai Shouka Daigaku, Hokkai School of Commerce in Japan. Mrs. Yokota had made more than 1,700 traditional paper cranes that she was willing to donate to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. In Japan, the crane is a very important symbol of hope and peace, and legend says that if you fold 1,000 cranes you are granted a wish.

Thanks to Mrs. Yokota's incredible contribution, the ICS, along with Okutomi, began an awareness campaign with the wish that Japan not be forgotten once the media coverage diminished. Their goal was to see how many cranes they could collect and display in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ as a symbol of hope and recovery for Japan.

From Mar. 28 through Apr. 1, Okutomi, her sister Yukino, and other student volunteers manned tables in the Atrium, where everyone was welcome to learn about the legend of the crane and show their continued support for Japan by folding their own cranes and adding them to the collection.

"The crane project is very therapeutic. When you fold a crane you put your love and compassion in it and it becomes a physical symbol for you. When you add it to three or four thousand other cranes it becomes so much more," says Jackson. "You realize that you have support and there is compassion around campus. Each time a tragedy like this happens we have students who come together to find ways to help. We also saw that with the recent earthquake in Haiti."

For Okutomi, thousands of miles away from a tragedy affecting her homeland, the outpouring of support shown was heartening.

"I really have to say thank you to all the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community, our friends and the ICS," she says. "I was really moved by the compassion people showed for our cause, asking if our friends and family were OK, even when they did not know us. I am really proud of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community for its kindness."

GET THE FACTS

· More than $3,000 was raised through the fundraiser and the sale of tickets for an International Dinner hosted by the Ecumenical Campus Ministry. The Ecumenical Campus Ministry held two memorial services to support Japan.

· There are currently four U of L students on exchange programs in Japan, along with one faculty member. All have reported they are safe following the tragedy.

· ICS donated 600 sheets of origami paper as a thank you to Mrs. Yokota. She folded it all, creating more than 2,400 paper cranes for the project.

· Students are also planning on displaying the cranes at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's Calgary campus. Anyone wishing to make additional paper cranes is welcome to bring them to the ICS (SU040).

For a look at the Legend in a flipbook format, follow this link.

UNews - fundraiser

Food bank continues to serve a valuable need

Related Topics

Everest Challenge to raise funds

Related Topics

Journey complete for Mackinnon brothers

Related Topics

Cookbook to benefit SU Food Bank

Related Topics

Mackinnon and brothers honouring Baha

Related Topics

Senate recognizes duo

Related Topics

Movie Mill Night supports Horns

Related Topics

Speaker Series to debut at Galt

Related Topics

NASA hosts fire victim fundraiser

Related Topics

Global event hits home

Related Topics