Skip to main content

Roving jug makes cents for Concordia students

Small gestures add up to meaningful support
September 20, 2010
|
By Shelagh Peden


The magical jar of pennies: different Concordia departments are "hosting" the 60-litre wine-making jar and raising money in support of students with financial difficulties.
The "magical jar of pennies": different Concordia departments are hosting a 60-litre wine-making jug to raise money in support of students with financial difficulties.

It's a sad fact of life that tough economic times can force some students to withdraw from their studies. That's why the team at Hospitality Concordia has launched a collection to help raise funds for those students who are financially pressed.

What began as a small jar last summer has become a big jar — a 60-litre wine-making jug, actually — and the collection continues.

The “magical jar of pennies” has visited the Office of the Registrar for a couple of weeks. It’s now so heavy that the muscled movers of Concordia Distribution are now required to bring the jug around.

Last week, the jug sat next to the Shuffle registration table in the J. W. McConnell Building atrium and is expected to make the rounds of the university.

When posted on Concordia’s Shoptalk, Jack Kornblatt saw the message and proffered up his department’s existing jar of pennies, “to have been used for something else, but student support is a far better use of the contents.”

The jug is already half-full, and anyone who would like to contribute by hosting the container in their department or unit is encouraged to contact Hospitality Concordia.

Even local restaurants and neighbours are kicking in, showing their support for a meritorious cause by donating pennies and more.

When the container is full, there are plans to sell raffle tickets to contestants who will guess how much money has been raised. Funds from raffle tickets will also be applied towards student support.

Once the raffle is over, funds will be turned over to the Dean of Students, who has the admirable task of choosing a beneficiary: a current student in danger of incomplete studies due to financial challenges.

Hospitality Concordia welcomes creative ideas to fill the jug, such as carting it by wagon as part of the Shuffle and asking passers-by for their change, or bringing it to special events. For more information, please call Hospitality Concordia at 514-848-2424, ext. 4450.



Back to top

© Concordia University