Spring Sing is about more than just crazy dances and club rivalries—it helps to give back to the community.
Every year, the Spring Sing executive committee chooses a nonprofit organization to receive a donation collected from the numerous fundraising efforts hosted during Spring Sing season.
Senior Ashley Cannon, the fundraising coordinator for this year’s Spring Sing show, chose NewView Oklahoma as the recipient of the philanthropy project.
According to their website, NewView Oklahoma is a nonprofit started in 1949 which provides services to blind or vision-impaired individuals across the state. They offer vision rehabilitation clinics, as well as community outreach to those affected by visual impairments through art classes, summer camps and support groups. In addition, they are the largest employer of vision-impaired individuals in Oklahoma
“[NewView] spoke in chapel last year,” Cannon said. “I fell in love with their mission of empowering and employing those with disabilities. They have a Christian motto of supporting and building up others.”
NewView’s focus on assisting those with visual impairments also aligns with this year’s Spring Sing theme, 20/20 Vision: I Can See Clearly Now.
“I chose NewView before I even knew the overall theme,” Cannon said. “It happened to be a perfect match.”
According to Cannon, philanthropy is an important aspect of Spring Sing.
“If you are having a group of people this large come together, why not use that group to collectively help another?” Cannon said. “It’s using the opportunity at a prime time. It’s become a tradition.”
Cannon also said she believes the philanthropy project sets Oklahoma Christian University apart.
“It’s different,” Cannon said. “Most people don’t see a performance event like this and think philanthropy.”
According to Cannon, the philanthropy aspect is well-suited for Spring Sing.
“OC has that little niche where all the little things we do make a big difference on campus,” Cannon said. “Philanthropy and a chance to donate to a group you may not have heard of before makes all the difference and brings something special to the event.”
Cannon said the fundraising goal for Spring Sing 2020 is $7,000.
Primary donations come from cash donations at each Spring Sing performance and from the silent auction hosted in the Conservatory at each performance. The silent auction will open an hour before each show and will run until shortly after the end of the performance. Different items will be closed on each night, and winners will be contacted when their item closes.
Cannon said the silent auction will offer traditional baskets which take bids, but some items will be run differently.
“Because some of our items are smaller, we will be doing a ticket auction in addition to the traditional silent auction,” Cannon said. “You will pay $5 for a ticket, and your ticket is your bid. That way, we will make more money up front which will go straight to [NewView], and you will have a better chance of winning.”
In addition, the project has hosted several restaurant fundraising nights to support NewView.
Students may also look forward to a special night of the Food Yard, which will sell food in the Phase 3 apartments. All funds will go to the philanthropy project. The Food Yard will open after the faculty and staff Spring Sing performance on Thursday, March 5.
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