Huron students raise more than $17,000 to support homeless youth
Huron student, Jacob Spiro, turned a good idea into a huge tangible benefit for London’s homeless youth when he approached the university’s president about the potential to turn unused meal plan dollars into a sizeable donation.
The Trek for Teens and Huron University collaboration he initiated was a huge success, raising $17,021, which was used to purchase 176 cases of pasta, fish, canned goods, soups, snacks, and juices that Huron students and staff members delivered to Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) on April 29.
Jacob originally learned of Trek for Teens, a club that raises funds and awareness for homeless youth in Canada, at their U.C.C booth on Western’s campus. After meeting representatives from this charity club, Jacob approached Huron’s President, Dr. Barry Craig, to find out if it would be possible to redirect students’ leftover meal plan dollars so they could have a philanthropic purpose. In keeping with Huron’s mission of developing compassionate, action-oriented citizens, Dr. Craig happily set the wheels in motion to ensure this initiative could move ahead.
Jacob extends his sincere gratitude to Huron’s student body, who was more than willing to donate their leftover meal plan dollars, as well as the leadership team, faculty and staff who were unwavering in their support of this project.
“Students’ generosity and willingness to take action to support a meaningful cause speaks not only to their bright futures, but also to the culture Huron is cultivating, which motivates students to conduct themselves in ways that better the world,” Jacob explains.
As a university that promises to nurture students’ hearts as much as their minds, Huron is extremely proud of Jacob for his thought leadership and to all the students who stood behind it. Thank you for helping to feed countless youth who will benefit from this wonderful donation.