Spare change for Salvation: A.J.’s donates

Home News Spare change for Salvation: A.J.’s donates
Spare change for Salvation: A.J.’s donates
The Salvation Army helps families with preregistration and applications for receiving toys from Hillsdale County’s Toys for Tots Campaign. Julia Mullins | Collegian

A new donation box at A.J.’s Cafe means students can embrace a spirit of giving by donating their spare change to the Salvation Army. 

According to Regional Support Manager Kecia Tatman, Salvation Army, a charity chosen through the GOAL volunteer program, will continue to receive donations until Christmas break. In October, the Greater Hillsdale Humane Society received any donations left in the box. 

“People need help,” Tatman said. “Everyone needs a little support somewhere. The students here are so generous with the fact that they don’t mind donating their change. It was something I saw with the students that inspired me to give them the opportunity to put their change somewhere, because every little bit helps.”

After Tatman and Michaela Frohnen, A.J.’s student supervisor, talked about setting up a place for students to leave their spare change, they partnered with GOAL program leaders to put their idea into action.

Tatman said they do not have a goal amount, and simply want students and faculty to give what they are able to give. 

“We’re not supposed to take tips,” Frohenen said. “We were thinking that it would be a cool thing to take money and give it to different organizations within the community.”

The Salvation Army was chosen because of its connection to the upcoming Christmas season. Over $50 has been raised for it this month. 

 “There’s a lot of people in the community who don’t have the Christmas presents that everybody gets,” Frohenen said. “Growing up, I knew a lot of those people personally, so I thought it was a really important thing. We were thinking it would be a nice way for us to extend a hand for the holiday spirit.”

 Tatman said Bon Appetit supports and partners with different charitable organizations across the country.

 “We’re happy to be able to help as Bon Appetit and A.J.’s Cafe,” Tatman said. “We’re happy to lend a hand and help however we can.”

The donation box system will continue into the spring semester, and a new charity will be chosen in January.

“Hillsdale itself, the college and the students, are very generous, very giving,” Tatman said. “It shows in the change they leave, and in the way they act.”