DePaul’s Demon SWAP raises a record-breaking amount of money
July 5, 2012
Email |
Print
What began as an alternative to residential students tossing out clothes, electronics or other possessions at the end of the school year has grown into a university-wide initiative that generates thousands of dollars for DePaul.
This year, Demon “Surplus With A Purpose” or Demon SWAP raised a record-breaking $2,094, which was more than the previous two years combined.
Sultana Perez, facilities project assistant, who leads the three-year-old initiative, is excited about the program’s growth potential.
“We are passionate about sustainability with a purpose,” says Sultana Perez, who helps organize and run Demon SWAP. “We have received tremendous amounts of positive feedback from the DePaul community, and we look forward to the continued growth.”
The program reduces waste while also providing materials for others and helps sustain the Vincentian mission at DePaul.
“Demon SWAP is a true testament of the DePaul community; it really speaks our mission and values,” says Tessa VanPaepeghem, marketing and communications manager for Department of Housing Services.
This initiative originated in Housing Services in 2009 but soon branched out across the DePaul community and is now supported by eight different offices.
“We are really trying to grow the program,” says Perez. “We want not only the Loop Campus to be involved, but we also want our Lincoln Park neighbors and the Chicago community to come out and buy and donate items.”
The SWAP program raises money for the Vincentian Assistance Fund in the Office of Mission and Values. This fund directly helps students who are in dire situations. After all items are sold through the Demon SWAP Shop, remaining items are donated to an array of non-profit organizations in the Chicago area.
“The SWAP program looks forward to continued growth in the years to come, and we are excited that SWAP continues to prove how powerful and giving the DePaul community is," says Perez.
See more photos from Demon SWAP