2008 Woodie Awards
Earning cash by raising funds
Students participate in Phonathon
Stacey Magneson/Staff Writer
Issue date: 2/14/08 Section: Lifestyles
Each semester, Simpson holds the Phonathon, a six-week program to help raise money for the Simpson Fund. The fund's purpose is to provide monetary aid for students, either in the form of financial assistance or scholarships. Participants place calls to alumni, friends and parents up to five days a week.
Tricia Martin, assistant director of alumni relations and annual giving, is in her first year as coordinator for the Phonathon. Martin is a 2001 Simpson graduate who worked on the Phonathon for two years when she was a student. Martin believes she knows how to help handle the Phonathon because she literally has been in the students' chairs during her college career.
According to Martin, last year around $160,000 was raised for the Simpson fund with $100,000 raised in the fall and $60,000 in the spring. The funds will go towards the 2007-2008 fiscal years, which run June 1 to May 31.
Melissa Walpole, associate director of annual giving, says the Phonathon not only raises funds, but helps connect past and present students.
"The Phonathon is an important program here on campus because it raises money for The Simpson Fund and this fund supports a variety of college programs, including scholarship assistance and additional resources for students and faculty," Walpole said. "The Phonathon gives our students the opportunity to network with our alumni, share news and stories and raise money for their Simpson education. Our student callers train hard, work hard and have fun. They do a great job."
The Phonathon is held in the Red and Gold Room in College Hall. Student callers, who can work anywhere between one and five days a week, earn $7.25 an hour. Calls are placed from 6 to 9 p.m. with no calls on the holidays. Those who work with student employees believe the freedom in work scheduling is appealing to many who participate.
"The Phonathon is a very flexible job," Martin said. "Students can work the hours they want to work. Students who aren't eligible for a work study job can work the Phonathon."
Tricia Martin, assistant director of alumni relations and annual giving, is in her first year as coordinator for the Phonathon. Martin is a 2001 Simpson graduate who worked on the Phonathon for two years when she was a student. Martin believes she knows how to help handle the Phonathon because she literally has been in the students' chairs during her college career.
According to Martin, last year around $160,000 was raised for the Simpson fund with $100,000 raised in the fall and $60,000 in the spring. The funds will go towards the 2007-2008 fiscal years, which run June 1 to May 31.
Melissa Walpole, associate director of annual giving, says the Phonathon not only raises funds, but helps connect past and present students.
"The Phonathon is an important program here on campus because it raises money for The Simpson Fund and this fund supports a variety of college programs, including scholarship assistance and additional resources for students and faculty," Walpole said. "The Phonathon gives our students the opportunity to network with our alumni, share news and stories and raise money for their Simpson education. Our student callers train hard, work hard and have fun. They do a great job."
The Phonathon is held in the Red and Gold Room in College Hall. Student callers, who can work anywhere between one and five days a week, earn $7.25 an hour. Calls are placed from 6 to 9 p.m. with no calls on the holidays. Those who work with student employees believe the freedom in work scheduling is appealing to many who participate.
"The Phonathon is a very flexible job," Martin said. "Students can work the hours they want to work. Students who aren't eligible for a work study job can work the Phonathon."
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