FSU Student United Way turns doughnuts into dollars at 3rd Annual Krispy Kreme Challenge – Combining doughnuts, running raises thousands of dollars for charitable projects

 

By Larry Weru
FSU SUW Krispy Kreme Challenge Director

 

Florida State University’s Student United Way hosted its 3rd Annual FSU Krispy Kreme Challenge Feb. 4 and everyone crossed the finish line a winner.

 

More than 400 runners participated in the wildly popular four-mile race around campus where runners eat doughnuts at the halfway point, and the result was $6,480.35 raised for charitable projects at FSU and the local community.

 

“We want to thank every single person for running in this race that helps people in need and brings us closer together for a common cause,” said Larry Weru, Krispy Kreme Challenge director. “The FSU SUW gives back to the Tallahassee community not only through advocating and volunteering, but also by allocating funds that have been raised by SUW to student organizations that need help undertaking deserving, charitable projects,”

 

FSU’s SUW continues its established tradition for the third year in a row with anticipation of raising $13,000 to grant to local charitable organizations, Weru said. This event is a huge part of that goal. Through the outpouring of participants in past runs, this race has garnered funds to support the ambitious local projects of charitable Student Organizations. In its first year, it funded several projects, including the following:

 

• The Spire Institute for the Advancement of Public Policy ($1,500) – Funded a program to mentor middle-school students in Leon County
• First Book FSU ($500) – Funded the purchase of books for Title One Elementary School students in Leon County
• Synoptikos ($500) – Funded a Box City Event to work with kids at Nims Middle School on creating a strong community
• Habitat for Humanity ($4503.03) – Helped fund the construction of the FSU Habitat House
• The National Society of Black Engineers ($500) – Helped underprivileged middle-school students discover the importance of a college education and achieving their college goals
• Global Peace Exchange ($500) – Helped fund the first local GPE event, which promoted health awareness for local students

 

“Again, we’re grateful for the support of the local community,” Weru said. “Our goal was to fund even more deserving local charitable projects and significantly exceed the impact of previous years. Thanks for making this a race to remember.”

 

As the first, student-run United Way in the nation, FSU SUW is committed to leadership through service and teamwork by educating, engaging, advocating, and fundraising to increase student involvement in the betterment of people in FSU, Tallahassee, and Leon County. To learn more about FSU’s SUW, visit www.studentunitedway.org today.