Special program raises money for charity through casual days

For more than a year, employees at Dana College have turned the traditional “Casual Friday” into more than $1,000 for local charities and families through the Denim at Dana program.

The program started as an initiative in the Staff Council to give Dana employees a fun way to help contribute to the community and strengthen ties between Dana and other non-profit organizations. Once a month, Dana employees can elect to purchase a $5 Denim at Dana sticker that allows them to wear blue jeans and Dana apparel for the day. The Staff Council selects a charity or needy family each month to donate the proceeds toward.

“ Denim at Dana has been a great program for us,” said Sarah Cavanah, communications coordinator and Staff Council member. “We have a lot of fun with it, while raising money for good causes. Many times, we receive contributions of $10, $20 or even $50 from individuals.”

The Denim at Dana money has gone to the Blair Animal Shelter, the American Heart Association, the Washington County Food Pantry, victims of the Hallam tornado, the Salvation Army and many more. For two years, the campus has “adopted” an anonymous needy family in December. Instead of the $5 contribution, employees choose to buy presents for the family from a list provided by the Washington County Ministerial Alliance.

In all, Denim at Dana has raised $1,546 since its inception in 2003. During the 2003-04 school year, employees raised $771. So far for the 2004-05 year, the total is already $775, with five months left to go in the year.

“ At Dana, we often depend on the contributions of others to help us achieve our mission,” Cavanah said. “It feels great for us to donate to other worthy groups so they can achieve theirs.”

Dana College is a place where all students actively participate. They make things happen — in their own lives and in the lives of others. Through a highly supportive faculty and campus community, Dana students develop interpersonal skills, leadership abilities, and other important values and knowledge as they make choices about their future. Dana’s outstanding academic programs in business, education and social work, among others, ensure that students have the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to pursue challenging careers or placement in graduate school.

Dana College is a private, liberal arts institution in Blair, Neb. To learn more, visit www.dana.edu.

Dana College: Develop talents, Take charge, Build a future — We’re with you all the way.

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For more information contact:
Sarah Cavanah
Communications Coordinator
Dana College
402 426-7216
scavanah@dana.edu