Doughnuts leave budget hole

Members of Richland's Student

Government Association (SGA) focused on the results of the most recent fundraiser, as well as the planning of possible projects

before the end of the semester at their weekly meeting Dec. 4.

On Nov. 28-29, SGA members set up a table in the cafeteria and sold doughnuts. In past years, the doughnut fundraiser was held on Veterans Day. Due to scheduling

conflicts this year's fundraiser was pushed back and the proceeds were intended to go to the Wounded Warrior Project instead.

 About 300 dozen Krispy Kreme

doughnuts were purchased for the event. Although SGA managed to get rid of all the doughnuts, they only managed to make a

little over $600 because 80-100 dozen were left over after the final selling day.

"Sales were mediocre, just to put it nicely," President Tabeth Nkangoh said. "It was a net loss for us. I apologize for not putting my whole-hearted effort into this fundraising project."

SGA sponsor Bobbie Harrison expressed her disappointment with the fundraiser's turnout. She added that she felt that the main reason why it was unsuccessful was it was not promoted and advertised properly.

"You all need to learn how to do publicity because if you're going to have to do something tomorrow, you don't do your advertising today or the day of," Harris said. "You need to set aside enough time to advertise."

According to Nkangoh, the fundraiser was not a complete loss. He and Vice President Andrew Graff decided to start giving away the leftover doughnuts to those who

participated in a student feedback survey SGA created earlier this year. Over 200 surveys were completed in less than four hours.

Once discussion was opened for new

business, Nkangoh spoke about organizing two more holiday projects. SGA is usually responsible for taking care of the Angel Tree Project but because the Office of Student Life already accounted for all the trees this year, members had to think of an alternative project.

They decided to promote Operation Christmas Tree, a project that calls for people to donate toys in sealed shoeboxes that are to be shipped off to children in need.

"Before the semester ends, we are going to try to get members from the majority of the clubs to be present and people will just alternate at a table in the student lounge and collect donations," said Nkangoh. "Each shoebox is worth about $10, so our goal is to collect about 20 shoeboxes equivalent to $200."

Aside from this, Fundraising Committee Chair Dennis Q. Ly suggested setting up boxes around campus for students to

donate their used winter clothes. Ly said that the boxes will be collected at the beginning of the spring semester and that he and the rest of the committee have yet to decide on what

organization to partner with.

The organization's sponsors expressed their concern about people stealing from the donation boxes. Members then discussed building a "one-way" box that would only allow people to put items in it without taking anything out.

Details for these new fundraising projects were scheduled to be finalized during the organization's final meeting Dec. 9.