SHHoping for the holidays can be for a good cause

BY WILLIAM HURLEY

The first annual Students Helping Honduras Thrift SHHop was held as a fundraiser for students who are going to help overseas in Honduras, in the Great Hall on Nov. 22. from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Randi Crabbe, a junior psychology major, organized the event with the help of SHH members and other university organizations. Student Activities and Engagement (SAE) donated tables, which could be rented for $15 by students and $20 by off-campus organizations. The proceeds of both table sales and sales of items went toward the fundraiser.

Clothes were donated from SHH members, students outside the club and members of the Fredericksburg community. The large amount of donations allowed SHH to meet their intended goal of $150 within a few hours of opening.

“We have an enormous amount of support outside the club itself,” said Crabbe, noting the success of other events SHH hosted in the past such as The Halloween Costume Contest. According to Crabbe SHH also has fundraisers planned for spring, including a 5K run and a volleyball tournament that aid in funding for the annual trip to Honduras.

SHH was founded at the University of Mary Washington in 2008 by Shin Fujiyama. The group fundraises year-round for donations to send students to assist in construction projects for less fortunate individuals in Honduras. Since 2008, the organization spread to dozens of universities and high schools all across the country. UMW continues to be one of the strongest supporting schools of the organization, paying homage to the university’s roots as the founding chapter.

Last year UMW students built a children’s home for girls, one of the many successful projects completed by the club. Several shoppers at the event noted the club’s level of dedication and compassion. Even individuals who were not as familiar with SHH’s history at the university recognized the hard work the club was putting in for a good cause.

“I like that it kind of feels like Goodwill, in a way,” commented Gabby Lindemann, a junior historic preservation major. “Even if I don’t necessarily like anything, I would still buy it just because of the good cause.”

The event brought in a multitude of shoppers over the span of the day. The donations of both clothes and money will aid SHH in their goal of sending more students to Honduras and showing the support and strength of UMW’s community. Students from the organization will also travel to Honduras over winter break for the annual trip.