Support students in financial need

The team at Hospitality Concordia gets to know the students who regularly check in about room bookings for their respective associations. When one familiar face stopped coming by, they wondered why.

“We found out she had to drop out for financial reasons,” says Nancy Curran, Events Coordinator.

Deciding that was unacceptable, Curran’s colleagues established the Magical Penny Jar, soliciting spare change across both campuses and at high-profile events. The funds raised will be turned over to the Dean of Students Office to distribute to students in financial need.

“The financial situation of many students, particularly disadvantaged students, including student parents or international students, just gets worse and worse,” says Dean of Students Elizabeth Morey. “The great thing about Concordia is that everyone always helps when it’s needed.”

The nearly full-to-bursting Magical Penny Jar is a testament to that.

Besides those who’ve pitched their cash into the jar, Concordia staff have volunteered their lunch hours to sit with the jar, asking for contributions. Now that the jar is nearly full, they are collecting more donations by selling $1 tickets for a chance to guess the total amount deposited in the jar. In addition to the Hospitality Concordia team, the 60-litre wine jug has been filled while being hosted by the Office of the Registrar, the School of Extended Learning, the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Shuffle volunteers throughout the university. Moving the now 300-pound jar from place to place requires a crew from Distribution Services and support from Security to keep it safe.

With the jar almost full, there are just a few more days left to buy raffle tickets. Ticket sales will be added to the total donation handed over to the Dean of Students Office. The winner will get haircut from a local salon, a tote bag, and an enormous sense of satisfaction.

Stop by the LB Atrium (1400 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W.) before Wed., Oct. 27 to make your guess.