Saint Mary’s students to talk about solar panel initiative

WINONA, Minn. — Students raising money for the Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Solar Panel Initiative will give a public presentation at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, in Watters Hall.

Saint Mary’s students are hoping for a surge of supporters — and $20,000 — to help bring solar panels to the Winona campus.

According to student organizer Conner Ellinghuysen, the addition of a 16.4-kilowatt system will reduce the university’s carbon footprint, save the university money, and provide educational experiences for students.

Hear more about the project at www.facebook.com/solarpanelsmu or go to www.smumn.edu/newsblog/4311/students-raise-money-for-solar-panel-initiative.

SMU benefit raises $14,000 for Richter

Approximately 575 people came to listen to the Johnny Holm Band during the Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance March 15.

This year's beneficiary Jason Richter with his wife, Tina, and their three sons, Jackson, Carter and Gus.

WINONA, Minn. — More than 575 people attended Saint Mary’s University’s 14th annual Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance on March 15.

Proceeds from the dance — and a silent auction held on campus — raised more than $14,000 for this year’s beneficiary Jason Richter, who worked at Saint Mary’s from 1998 to 2010 in Student Activities and was once responsible for overseeing this same benefit event. Richter, who currently lives in Davenport, Iowa, is formerly of Rollingstone, where he served with the volunteer fire department and was an active community member.

Prior to being diagnosed with multiple myeloma last summer, Richter had pain in his lower back that turned out to be a mass. This is a disease that is more commonly found in people around the age of 60; because of his young age, he has responded well to treatments. He has undergone 10 radiation sessions, as well as recent bone and stem cell transplants. On top of that, the Richter family lives an hour away from the hospital Jason is receiving treatment at in Iowa City.

Although now in remission, Richter is still undergoing chemotherapy treatments. This year’s proceeds will assist his family, which includes three young sons, with their medical expenses and travel costs.

The benefit has become an annual student tradition since its start in 2001 in honor of Taylor Richmond, son of SMU staff member Nikki Richmond and Nick Richmond. Each year this event benefits someone in need who has ties to the SMU community. Although Taylor passed away this past October, his memory lives on at Saint Mary’s.

Donations are still being accepted; send checks — payable to the Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance — to Lance Thompson, Saint Mary’s University, 700 Terrace Heights #1528, Winona, MN 55987.

Saint Mary’s Gifts for Winona due Thursday, Dec. 12

WINONA, Minn. — The deadline is fast approaching to return gifts to the Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona giving trees. Because the community distribution is early, gifts MUST be returned to giving trees by Thursday, Dec. 12!

Those individuals who have already taken tags should return their packages (with tags securely fastened) to the location where they got the tag. Trees are located at the Winona Public Library, the three Severson-Sinclair locations, the Winona Post, Walmart and Security State Bank in Lewiston. Donors are asked to spend about $35 per person. Grocery card trees are also located at HyVee and Midtown Foods.

If you got a tag from a church or different organization, please check your tag for the date (and location) your gifts are to be returned.

To ensure that the large number of gifts may be properly sorted and recorded, meeting the deadline is a priority.

Tax-deductible contributions can also be made out to Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona and sent to 700 Terrace Heights #8, Winona, Minn., 55987. These funds are used for remaining tags or last-minute gifts. Donations can also be made online at www.smumn.edu/giftsforwinona.

Families who have applied for Gifts for Winona should check their mailboxes for instructions on where and how to pick up their gifts.

Several community partners including the Winona Post, Winona Radio and Winona Volunteer Services join Saint Mary’s University in helping to make this program a success.

SMU Cardinals hosting fourth Toys For Tots Teddy Bear Toss

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University men’s hockey team will hold the fourth annual Toys For Tots Teddy Bear Toss Friday, Nov. 22, during the Cardinals’ 7:30 p.m. home game against Saint John’s at the SMU Ice Arena.

Fans attending are encouraged to bring a teddy bear or stuffed animal — preferably new, but those in good used condition will also be accepted and appreciated. Teddy bears will also be available at the arena for a donation of $1.

After the first SMU goal in the first period — or at the end of the first period — fans will have an opportunity to throw their teddy bears and/or stuffed animals onto the ice. They will then be collected and distributed to children in the Winona area for the holidays.

The men’s hockey team will also have a collection bin in the SMU Ice Arena lobby for anyone wishing to donate a toy other than a teddy bear for Toys For Tots.

The U.S. Marine Corps Toys For Tots Foundation was formed to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year and then distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in their local communities. The program is aimed at helping needy children throughout the United States of America experience the joy of Christmas along with the message of hope to these under-privileged children to motivate them into being responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders.

Saint Mary’s Dance Club hosts dance marathon fundraiser Feb. 15

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University Dance Club will host a public Dance Marathon Friday, Feb. 15, to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

Dance Marathon is a nationwide movement, involving college students at more than 150 schools across the country who raise money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in and near their local communities. The Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, together with their corporate partners and generous donors, have raised more than $4.4 billion for sick children across the United States.

The fundraiser, hosted in association with Gundersen Lutheran of La Crosse, Wis., will be held throughout the night (9 p.m. to 6 a.m.) in SMU’s Gostomski Fieldhouse.

Got two left feet? Don’t worry; everyone is welcome to participate by simply remaining on your feet and moving to the beat. Participants must be able to prove they are 18 or older.

Gundersen Lutheran representatives for the Children’s Miracle Network — as well as local families who have benefitted from its services — will be present. Come and be inspired by their stories.

SCHEDULE


8:15 p.m. — Doors open

9 p.m.  — Dance Marathon begins

9:30 p.m. — Opening Ceremony

10:30 pm — Longest Dance Competition

Midnight — Remembrance Ceremony

12:30 a.m. — The Oldie Moldie All-Stars band plays

2:30 a.m. — Re-motivation Ceremony

4 a.m. — Raffle

5:30 a.m. — Closing Ceremony

To register, go to www.smumn.edu/dancemarathon.

For more information, contact Serica Rowley at smrowl09@smumn.edu or (563) 495-1429.

WinCraft donates to SMU Row, Ride, Run triathlon

Richard Pope, chairman and CEO of WinCraft, left, and John Killen, president and chief operating officer of WinCraft, right, display items donated to the Saint Mary’s University Row, Ride, Run triathlon along with Chris McClead, triathlon organizer, and SMU students Abby Voigt and Gracie Hoffman.

WinCraft graciously donated hundreds of lanyards, race towels and fridge magnets, as well as clipboards and plaques, to Saint Mary’s University’s spring Row, Ride, Run triathlon.

The last triathlon took place Saturday, April 28, and approximately 150 athletes from throughout the Midwest registered. Row, Ride Run participants canoed or kayaked a 2.5-mile loop around Lake Winona, then biked 14 miles from Lake Winona to the SMU campus. Once on campus, racers ran 3.1 miles through the bluffs surrounding the university.

“WinCraft likes to support events that promote good health, education and events that benefit Winona,” said John Killen, president and chief operating officer of WinCraft. “The students of Saint Mary’s have done a great job of putting together the Row, Ride, Run to raise money for educational trips, and they promote a healthy lifestyle.”

Proceeds from the triathlon assist Serving Others United in Love (SOUL), a student organization sponsored by SMU’s Office of Campus Ministry. Through SOUL, students are able to connect with diverse communities by participating in national and international service trips.

 “WinCraft’s sponsorship has made Row, Ride, Run a significant triathlon in the tri-state area and helped us raise the necessary funds to allow all students — regardless of their financial status — to experience faith, community, service, and transformation on SOUL trips,” said Chris McClead, co-director of SMU’s Office of Campus Ministry and triathlon organizer.