As Oklahoma Christian University students prepare to showcase their talents during the annual Spring Sing show this March, efforts are also underway to raise money for a good cause.
Each year, members of the Spring Sing staff choose an organization in which to donate raised funds from the show. This year’s philanthropy project, planned by Senior Paige Arter, is with the Hearts for Hearing foundation.
“Hearts for Hearing is a local nonprofit that helps children who are diagnosed with hearing loss to get the services they need,” Arter said. “Whether that is speech, hearing aids or anything like that, it helps them to cover the cost.”
The impact of Hearts for Hearing can be seen in the Edmond community and on the Oklahoma Christian campus, according to Arter, with several families assisted through their presence in the area.
“There are actually quite a few people around the community that I know of who have children in this program,” Arter said. “Including on campus, there are several people who have these children or know people who do.”
Arter said she wanted to choose a foundation involved in the surrounding community. In addition, she said Hearts for Hearing blends well with this year’s Spring Sing theme.
“It also connects really well with the general theme of ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It?’” Arter said. “It has been an option they have put on the table the last few years, so it confirmed that this would be a great year for it.”
Although there is not a dollar amount set for a goal, Arter said she hopes to exceed the amount raised during the past few years.
“I don’t have a goal necessarily set,” Arter said. “The last couple years it has been $6,000 or $7,000, so I would like to get near or above that.”
The money comes from several events Arter has organized around the community, giving people the opportunity to get involved. As well as the silent auction during Spring Sing and donations from previous years, Arter has organized nights where establishments around the community will give proceeds to the program. Several of these nights have already taken place around Edmond, jump-starting the fundraising process.
“This year I have added in restaurant nights,” Arter said. “On Feb. 19th, we will have one at Torchy’s Tacos. We have already raised about $600 just from those. Other than that, it is donations at the shows or purchases through the silent auction.”
Arter said she is looking forward to meeting all of the people positively impacted by this year’s philanthropy project.
“I love helping people in general,” Arter said. “I also like getting to meet all the people, getting to meet people who are affected by it and meeting people who are passionate about this.”
Those who wish to get involved in addition to the silent auction and donating during Spring Sing, can make donations of new or handmade items to be auctioned off, according to Arter. This provides a particular route for student involvement along with restaurant nights, she said.
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