For zoology and psychology senior Sasha Fawaz, Halloween is all about the treats — but not the sweet and sugary snacks residents traditionally hand out to trick-or-treaters.
Instead, Fawaz will spend her Halloween evening collecting coins in decorated coffee cans with members of the Zoological Student Association, or ZSA.
The coins will then be donated to the Capital Area Humane Society.
“Halloween is a blessing because people open their doors to the neighborhood,” said Fawaz, president of the ZSA. “It’s a great bonding experience not only for our club members and the community but for organizations like the Capital Area Humane Society (who benefit) through programs like this.”
The ZSA’s Beggin’ for Bones program was started last year by Fawaz, who participated in a similar program sponsored by the Dearborn Animal Shelter.
“I am from Dearborn, and the Dearborn Animal Shelter used to do something called Beggin’ for Bones, where we’d go out on Halloween and collect money for the Humane Society,” Fawaz said. “I decided to start it at MSU because I wanted there to be an alternative for people who did not want to spend their Halloween drunk at a party.”
When zoology senior Brittany Stanglewicz first heard about the proposed program, she thought it was a wonderful opportunity to get residential and campus communities involved in an important cause.
“The animals at the Capital Area Humane Society are in great need of food, toys and blankets,” said Stanglewicz, vice president of the ZSA. “Our donations will help provide animals with the essentials needed to live a comfortable life until someone can take them home.”
In the program’s first year, Fawaz said more than 30 people, including individuals not involved with the ZSA, went door to door in Okemos and Haslett — collecting $400 in one hour.
Money collected during last year’s event was split into two sums — $200 was spent purchasing items on the humane society’s wish list, such as blankets and puppy chow, and the remaining $200 was presented as a check.
This year, Fawaz said the organization will give the proceeds as a check — which will be matched by the Detroit Zoo — since club members are personally donating items on the Humane Society’s wish list.
“People in the neighborhoods were very pleasant with us when we asked for change,” Fawaz said. “Most people with animals at the door (when they answered) were excited about the program.”
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