From Fundraisers to Pageant, Mr. RWU Contestants Give Back to the Community
As the Mr. RWU Spectacular celebrates its 15th anniversary, annual competition has exceeded $250,000 for pediatric healthcare research
BRISTOL, R.I. ā In its 15th year as one of Ā鶹“«Ć½AV Universityās signature annual events, the Mr. RWU Spectacular celebrated several significant milestones ā an anniversary and reaching a major fundraising goal ā in bringing together the entire campus community to enjoy wackiness and pageantry, all while raising funds for pediatric healthcare research.
This fall, 10 students and their āpersonal assistantsā have competed in a lip sync battle, accepted studentsā dares from the Wheel of Doom, and dished up all kinds of delectable snack offerings in an attempt to raise the most funds for the . Itās that commitment to service which motivates all kinds of innovative fundraising and volunteer work at Ā鶹“«Ć½AV, but taken an extra mile by the Mr. RWU contestants in a 10 week-campaign that culminated in the Dec. 2 pageant.
āThis is just a different way we serve the community at RWU,ā says Carol Sacchetti, director of Student Programs & Leadership. āThis is paying it forward by giving your time ā just like our tradition of volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, these students are putting in the sweat equity behind their commitment.ā
With this yearās fundraising netting $17,465 for the in Providence, these dedicated students and alumni have exceeded a quarter of a million dollars āā reaching $260,000 this year āā to support pediatric care, research and education in the past decade and a half.
Nominated by their classmates, the contestants contended in several challenges throughout the semester. But raising the most money isnāt the only thing that claims the Mr. RWU crown. They also compete for judgesā votes in a Miss America-style pageant that features a choreographed group dance number, talent show and more.
Itās a major commitment of time and energy, says this yearās winner, Skyler Moncada, a senior architecture major from Farmington, Conn., but all for a worthy cause.
āI try to find a way to make a positive change in any community Iām in, and this was one of the best opportunities to give back to the community,ā said Moncada, who shared his victory with his co-competitor Victoria Davis, her service dog, Tony, and all of the other contestants. āThis is really a community-wide event that demonstrates how it takes a village to make a difference ā that even small donations or actions can lead to monumental change.ā
Contestant Joey Sullivan knew it would be challenging to ask his fellow ābroke college studentsā to open their wallets, yet his team conceived one of the most successful individual fundraisers that raised $338 in just four hours. He and his personal assistant, Rosalita Capoldo, collaborated with a local Chipotle franchise to donate 50% of all proceeds from Hawks who dined at the taqueria and presented a flyer for Team Joey that had been distributed through social media. It was "super user-friendly" and hooked his fellow classmates with something they need and love: food.
āItās humbling to see what two people can do when they fundraise for a great cause,ā said Sullivan, a sophomore environmental science major from Cornwall, N.Y. who credits this experience with inspiring him to become more involved in charity work.
This year had another milestone, with the first female student nominated to compete for the Mr. RWU title: Madison Mastriani, who was surprised but game to help support the Childrenās Miracle Network. She contended with some confusion over her contestant status ā the competition was originally conceived as a way to get male students more involved on campus ā but she noted that the campus community responded with an overwhelmingly positive attitude.
āPeople kept asking who Iām the personal assistant for, and Iād have to explain that Iām the actual contestant,ā said Mastriani, a junior economics major from Palmer, Mass. āThe competition is open to all genders, but the āMr.ā was throwing everybody off so mostly males were being nominated and wouldnāt make the top 10. Weāre changing that. When people ask why Iām doing this, I say Iām raising money for a good cause ā for the children, and thatās what really matters.ā