MSU Stars, an extension of the Make-A-Wish Foundation at MSU, will be competing in its third annual Collegiate Challenge between the students at MSU and those at the University of Michigan.
The challenge is designed to see which organization — MSU Stars, or MStars — can raise the most money in a three-day period between Feb. 11 and 13. All funds raised on MSU’s campus will be used to grant wishes for children treated at Lansing’s Sparrow Hospital while funds at U-M’s campus will be used to grant wishes for children at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor.
On the three days of the challenge, students can donate to MSU Stars volunteers set up at tables in numerous dining halls across campus, in addition to the option of donating online, said MSU Stars Treasurer Laura Goetz, a third-year member of the organization.
Last year, MSU Stars raised more than $6,000 in the challenge — enough to send Ruby, a 7-year-old girl with leukemia — to Walt Disney World.
As for this year’s Collegiate Challenge, MSU Stars has doubled its goal from $5,000 a year ago to $10,000, which Goetz said would be enough to grant two wishes. The donation website is already up, and even after the challenge ends, the donation website will remain open for the next several weeks.
MSU Stars President Shadi Jammoul said seeing the club able to reach for a $10,000 goal is an amazing achievement in itself.
“It’s been great to see it grow,” said Jammoul, who has been part of MSU Stars for three and a half years. “We started this Collegiate Challenge my sophomore year and every one has gotten bigger and bigger. ... We raise more and more money every year.”
In addition to the Collegiate Challenge and MSU Star’s many other fundraising events done throughout the year, the organization will also be putting on a 3-on-3 basketball tournament for MSU students. The tournament will take place Feb. 15 from noon to 5 p.m. at IM Sports-Circle and can feature as many as 32 male teams.
“I’m excited for this year’s challenge,” Jammoul said. Jammoul went on to list all the great things MSU Stars has been able to accomplish with their increased membership this year, giving him the confidence that this year’s challenge will be the most successful one yet.
