Purposeful Penny Holds First Annual 5K

Jemima Homawoo- MID 2015

On September 22^nd, members of Purposeful Penny, a student-run organization created by graduate students in The University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA), gathered together at Schenley Park to prepare for the first event of the year. Though the day began cloudy and dreary, excitement and anticipation were high, and success was to be reached. Runners from across the GSPIA community, friends, and family arrived to support Purposeful Penny. The runners ranged from GSPIA students (second-year student Ted Masten ran the whole race with an American flag) to runners who traveled from overseas (Ms. Victoria, the founder of Bright Kids Uganda). 

At the closing of the first ever Purposeful Penny 5K, nourishment (which was graciously donated) was consumed in order to replenish the runners after all their hard work, and awards were given out. It was calculated that Purposeful Penny raised $1,800 for Bright Kids Uganda and Room 2 Read: Nepal, both organizations focused on educating children. 

The focus of Purposeful Penny is to raise money for these two organizations and display the hard work needed to push forward the importance of education all over the world. Not only does Purposeful Penny host fundraising events, but you can also find at least one member sitting dutifully at the GSPIA lounge from 8:30am to 12:30pm each weekday, ready and waiting to provide a cup of coffee for a dollar. Professor or student, if you come in on a Monday dreading the beginning of a work week, you can find some joy at the face of a Purposeful Penny member, a cup of good coffee, and the knowledge that your dollar is going to great organizations focused on education. 

Purposeful Penny is continuously looking for new means of raising money. And this year once again, the inter-cultural potluck is being planned for November 14^th. The event will feature food prepared from the heart, entertainers performing to put smiles on supporters’ faces, and the chance to win a prize from the raffle. The potluck is an opportunity to bring everyone together over one thing that all people love to do: eat. Hard work is being put into organizing this event, while the members of Purposeful Penny also work hard to stay on top of their studies! Purposeful Penny is one of those organizations that realized what needs to get done to reach a goal, puts in 110%, and gets it done. It might be one penny that is raised, but one penny given multiple times means that change can happen.