DePauw tops Wabash with Co-Motion funds
By: Liz Tassell
Issue date: 11/14/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
DePauw might have lost the football game, but the Tigers didn't lose the fight to end domestic violence. The University managed to raise more than $6,600 for Co-Motion, surpassing the Wabash College total of $4,500 in the annual competitive fund-raiser between the historic rivals.
Sophomore Katie Rappaport led the project as part of her internship through the Hartman House. Rappaport exceeded her initial goal of $5,000, but the effort was not without difficulties.
"Even though it was started in 2001, I went into this project not knowing anything about Co-Motion," she said. "I had never heard of it freshman year, and I couldn't find a person on this campus who even really knew what it was about. Our biggest challenge came from getting the word out about our program and what our purpose even was to begin with."
To spread the word, Rappaport sent e-mails, held interest meetings and started forming committees outside of the internship program. Ultimately, seven other students joined and started to help with the three different segments of the project: service, awareness and fund-raising.
Fund-raising efforts included sending hundreds of letters asking for donations. Groups such as Sigma Chi fraternity, Pi Beta Phi sorority and the Women's Center held events benefiting Co-Motion. The group also contacted the Interfraternity and Panhellenic councils, asking them to encourage greek houses to cancel meals in order to attend a Co-Motion picnic with food donated from local restaurants. Proceeds from Alpha Chi Omega sorority's Ring Sing event also supported Co-Motion.
"The dynamic of the group and [Rappaport's] ability to organization and delegate responsibilities really helped us stay motivated," said junior committee member Alex Eades. "While the goal to beat Wabash was always the focus, it was exciting to do my part to help end domestic violence. Especially as a male, I felt it was important to take an active role."
In order to raise awareness, the group distributed purple ribbons. They also orchestrated the "Clothesline Project" that was on display outside the Hub throughout the week leading up to the Bell game.
"[Beating] Wabash is just the icing on the cake because the whole project really was phenomenal in terms of gaining partnerships between the campus and the community," Rappaport said. "This is a really valuable program and valuable cause and it hasn't gotten enough recognition in the past."
The proceeds will benefit Putnam County Family Support Services, the Julian Center in Indianapolis and the Montgomery County Family Crisis Center.
Sophomore Katie Rappaport led the project as part of her internship through the Hartman House. Rappaport exceeded her initial goal of $5,000, but the effort was not without difficulties.
"Even though it was started in 2001, I went into this project not knowing anything about Co-Motion," she said. "I had never heard of it freshman year, and I couldn't find a person on this campus who even really knew what it was about. Our biggest challenge came from getting the word out about our program and what our purpose even was to begin with."
To spread the word, Rappaport sent e-mails, held interest meetings and started forming committees outside of the internship program. Ultimately, seven other students joined and started to help with the three different segments of the project: service, awareness and fund-raising.
Fund-raising efforts included sending hundreds of letters asking for donations. Groups such as Sigma Chi fraternity, Pi Beta Phi sorority and the Women's Center held events benefiting Co-Motion. The group also contacted the Interfraternity and Panhellenic councils, asking them to encourage greek houses to cancel meals in order to attend a Co-Motion picnic with food donated from local restaurants. Proceeds from Alpha Chi Omega sorority's Ring Sing event also supported Co-Motion.
"The dynamic of the group and [Rappaport's] ability to organization and delegate responsibilities really helped us stay motivated," said junior committee member Alex Eades. "While the goal to beat Wabash was always the focus, it was exciting to do my part to help end domestic violence. Especially as a male, I felt it was important to take an active role."
In order to raise awareness, the group distributed purple ribbons. They also orchestrated the "Clothesline Project" that was on display outside the Hub throughout the week leading up to the Bell game.
"[Beating] Wabash is just the icing on the cake because the whole project really was phenomenal in terms of gaining partnerships between the campus and the community," Rappaport said. "This is a really valuable program and valuable cause and it hasn't gotten enough recognition in the past."
The proceeds will benefit Putnam County Family Support Services, the Julian Center in Indianapolis and the Montgomery County Family Crisis Center.
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